Stockport Council has released its draft Local Plan (2025–2042) — a framework that will shape where new homes and supporting infrastructure are built over the next 17 years. The plan outlines almost 32,000 new homes, major redevelopment of brownfield sites but unfortunately also redesignation of Green Belt land, as well as the supposed creation of new infrastructure to support this extreme growth. While the Council emphasises sustainability, affordable housing and “brownfield first” principles, many proposed housing sites sit within newly designated “grey belt” areas, due to unrealistic targets set by the Labour government, raising serious concerns about the loss of open countryside, a reduction in quality of life and strain on already vastly overstretched local services. The public consultation runs 6 November – 21 December 2025 where residents can voice their objections to the proposal.

Five Reasons Local People Should Object

1. Green Belt Loss and “Grey Belt” Reclassification Large sections of vital, protected land could be reclassified and opened up for development. This threatens the countryside, protected wildlife habitats and the rural character that defines Stockport’s edge communities.
2. Infrastructure and Services Overload The plan proposes almost 32,000 new homes, but roads, GP surgeries, schools and public transport are already under significant pressure. There’s no clear funding or timeline to deliver the additional infrastructure required.
3. Government-Imposed Housing Targets The plan is driven by unrealistic national housing targets, not by Stockport’s local needs, and where the North West seems to have borne the brunt of the national house building plans. Even the Council leader has stated that these targets are “too high” and don’t reflect the borough’s geography or community priorities.
4. Impact on Flooding and Environment Building on greenfield or semi-rural sites will vastly reduce natural drainage, further increase already high flood risks and destroy local carbon and biodiversity goals, contradicting the plan’s claim to create a “climate-resilient Stockport.”
5. Urban Density and Town Centre Pressure Proposals for high-density and high-rise developments in and around the town centre risk changing the character of the area without guaranteed improvements to transport, parking or green space.

To view the SLP in full, go to https://localplan.stockport.gov.uk/