Planning permission has been granted for Stockport 8, a new £350m walkable and sustainable neighbourhood in the town centre.

The eight-acre site is being delivered by The Stockport 8 LLP – a joint venture between Stockport Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse.

It is just one in a series of regeneration projects led by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) as part of ambitious plans to develop land west of the town centre, under the Town Centre West (TCW) scheme.

Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the historic viaduct the mixed residential neighbourhood, the site aims to breathe life back into what was once a thriving area under the railway arches, connecting Stockport Interchange with nearby communities and local historic landmarks such as Weir Mill.

The plans will deliver approximately 1,300 new homes centred around public spaces.

Stockport 8 sits at the heart of the MDC’s masterplan to transform TCW into the UK’s most sustainable, liveable town centre and is a key element of the wider £1bn investment currently being delivered.

Detailed planning consent has been granted for Phase 1 and outline consent for the remaining phases. Phase 1 will deliver:

• 435 energy efficient homes that are designed to achieve net zero standards
• A mixed residential neighbourhood featuring one, two and three-bedroom homes as well as accessible and adaptable apartments
• Substantial public realm improvements, including the creation of a new public square adjacent to the viaduct
• New pedestrian connections through the site and the provision of dedicated cycle lanes along King Street West and Viaduct Street
• Spaces for commercial and community uses at ground floor level that complement the existing town centre offering
• Biodiversity benefits including new trees, green roofs and sustainable urban drainage systems

The first phase is due to start on site in 2026 and complete in 2028, with the next phase expected to commence in 2029.

Leader of Stockport Council, Mark Roberts, said: “This isn’t about old Stockport or new Stockport – it’s about building a better Stockport for everyone. Stockport 8 is part of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration, giving us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a place that works for families, young people and older generations alike.

“We’re proud of the work the MDC has done with partners to turn underused brownfield land into a thriving, multi-purpose neighbourhood – delivering new homes, green spaces, jobs, shops and better transport. This is about making Stockport more connected, more vibrant and more sustainable, while staying true to our One Stockport, One Future vision.

“Our ambition is simple: growth that’s fair, sustainable and lasting – not just bigger buildings, but a stronger, more connected Stockport that people are proud to call home.”

Joe Stockton, development director at ECF, added: “This is an exciting time for Stockport, as we gear up to kick off one of the largest town centre regeneration projects in the UK.

“It was clear during the community consultation that Stopfordians are fiercely proud of their town, its heritage and its communities. So, we want to stay true to our word by making sure this remains a place for everyone, with homes to suit all ages and circumstances, and a place that celebrates the area’s strong community spirit and rich heritage. People will start to see changes taking place quite quickly now as we get started on phase one”.

The full team behind Stockport 8 is made up of Stockport MDC, ECF, architect shedkm, landscape architect Planit, contractor Vinci, the planning team from Deloitte, project manager Walker Sime, Tace (MEP) and Renaissance for structural and civil engineering, Arup on highways and transport, and engagement specialist Font Comms.