Towns and villages across Stockport could change forever, as the borough looks to green belt land to meet its housing targets.

Protected land is being considered as part of the council's draft local plan, a legal document outlining future of development in the borough, including where new homes will be built.

A list of 27 sites have been chosen to accommodate 8,965 homes where land will need to be removed from the green belt.

Land identified in one village could see a minimum of 1,000 new homes built.

Council leader Mark Roberts, who is a Lib Dem councillor, said the council has been 'forced' to look at using green belt land by the Labour government.

The Lib Dems are in control of Stockport town hall under a minority administration, and have a 'brownfield first' housing policy.

The Lib Dems who are in control of Stockport Council have a brownfield first housing policy (Image - Nub News)

Last year, after Labour won the general election in July and replaced the Conservatives in running the country, new housebuilding targets were set.

For Stockport it meant the council had to nearly double the number of houses being built each year, up to 1,906 annually.

This led the council to delay its progress on the local plan at the time, and sparked claims from the Lib Dems that elected decision makers in Stockport were being overruled by those in central government.

Cllr Roberts wrote in his foreword to the new draft local plan: "Many of the sites included in this draft Local Plan should not need to be released for development.

"We vehemently disagree with this approach, but we are powerless to stop it. We accept our duty to show leadership and comply with our legal obligations."

The total number of new homes set out in the draft local plan is 16,406, leaving 'a shortfall against housing need of 15,484' according to a report.

Councillors on Stockport's housing, economy and environment scrutiny committee are meeting to discuss the draft local plan on Friday, before it goes to the council leader and his cabinet team on Monday.

The cabinet will be asked to approve a public consultation on the draft local plan, to be held between November 6, 2025 and December 21, 2025.

Which green belt sites are being considered for development in Stockport?

These are the areas in Stockport's draft local plan which could be built on – along with the minimum number of homes required – which need to be removed from the green belt.

Sites outside the existing built-up area: previously developed land

• Compstall Mills – 130 homes
• Former Offerton High School – 185
• Woodford Garden Village Extension – 545

Sites outside the existing built-up area: grey belt

• Hall Moss Lane – 400
• High Lane – 1,000
• Hyde Bank Meadows – 250
• Sandown Road – 300
• Jacksons Lane West – 170
• Jacksons Lane East – 270
• Offerton Sand and Gravel – 150
• Cow Lane (to rear of Sainsburys, Hazel Grove) – 500
• Brindale Road – 100
• Gravel Bank Road and Unity Mill – 400
• Land at Cheadle Hulme School – 350
• Dairyground Farm – 500
• Jenny Lane – 190
• Mill Lane (Hazel Grove) – 50
• High Lane Farm (Woodley) – 185
• Sanderling Road – 120
• Compstall Road North – 250
• Compstall Road South – 200
• Heald Green West – 750
• Shakespeare Road – 150
• Bolshaw Road – 70

Sites outside the existing built-up area: other

• Heald Green East (part grey belt) – 900
• Norbury Hall / Land off Chester Road (Hazel Grove) – 300
• Chester Road (Woodford) (part grey belt) – 550

~

Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X