A public consultation is now open until 21 December, giving residents the opportunity to shape the future of housing and development in their area. It’s vital that everyone takes part, as this plan will guide how homes and communities evolve over the next 15 years.
Click HERE to take part in the consultation.
WHAT IS A LOCAL PLAN
Every council in England must prepare a Local Plan, setting out how land will be used and where new homes, jobs, and infrastructure will be delivered up to 2042. The plan provides the framework for all planning decisions and is a key tool in tackling the national housing crisis.
A local plan should:
- Guide development. Provide specific sites for future development, including housing, employment, and infrastructure. Without this the council do not have the ability to say no to developers and we run the risk of not being able to protect any sites in the borough.
- Protect the environment: Designate areas where development should be restricted, such as Special Protection Areas or other environmentally sensitive locations.
- Addresses community needs: Considers and plan for the economic, social, and environmental needs of the local community.
- Supports decision-making: Together with National planning policy it supports elected members when making planning decisions.
This draft local plan has been drawn up by Stockport Councillors excellent planning officers and the Liberal Democrat administration and there are many things that the Labour Group like and dislike about it, but this is not the final plan. This is the opportunity for Stockport People to have their say on what has been proposed in order for the council to amend the plan and turn it into a document we can all be proud of.
THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The UK is facing one of the most severe housing shortages in decades. Young people and families are struggling to find homes they can afford, while key workers are often priced out of the areas they serve. Without a coordinated plan, speculative developments risk delivering expensive, high-end homes that fail to meet local need.
A clear and well-managed Local Plan offers a better way forward. It can prioritise affordable housing, starter homes, family homes and sustainable developments that are well connected to transport links, schools, and services. By setting clear expectations for developers, councils can ensure that new housing meets real community needs, not just market demand which is what we are seeing right now with the huge amount of developments of flats in the town centre.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The Local Plan consultation is open until 21 December. Your views will help determine how much land is released for housing and what kind of homes are built. Click HERE to access the consultation and have your say.
There will also be local drop-in information sessions across the borough, where planning officers will be available to answer questions, explain the proposals, and show residents how to submit feedback. You can find these sessions HERE
WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Having an adopted Local Plan in place will allow Stockport to manage growth in an organised, transparent way, rather than leaving decisions to speculative developers.
It’s a chance to make sure future housing reflects community priorities, affordability, sustainability, and fairness.
Everyone deserves access to a safe, secure, and affordable home. By taking part in this consultation, you can help shape policies that make that vision a reality.