- 13) Over the Summer of 2021 we tested a series of high-level principles which reflect the borough plan's vision4. Following feedback from the public and key stakeholders these principles run through the plan and inform its approach to our places and neighbourhoods.
Figure 2 - Our high-level principles
1 We will build our plan around our neighbourhoods, celebrating and reflecting what makes our communities unique
2 We will take a brownfield first approach to development, protecting our greenspaces as much as possible
3 We will be design-led, aiming to achieve the highest quality of design for Stockport
4 We will put local infrastructure and communities at the heart of our approach, recognising the needs of our neighbourhoods and areas
5 We will ensure everything we do contributes to Stockport's response and resilience to the Climate Emergency
6 We will contribute to the good health and wellbeing of our communities
2.2 Our places and neighbourhoods
- ‘Community’ means different things to different people and Stockport is made of many vibrant and diverse communities. Each has different strengths and needs both now and in the future. Our new Local Plan has these communities at its core, ensuring that the uniqueness of different areas and neighbourhoods is recognised and supported.
- Communities can be based on places, common interests or beliefs, histories, or people's everyday routines. It is not straightforward, therefore, to talk about simple geographical locations in a way that truly represents what they mean to people. One person's school community might, for instance, be different to their next-door neighbour's social community, or a community of shared health-care needs, or that of the local dog walking group or junior sports team.
- Our borough is, however, made up of a number of places, each of which provides a focal point for meeting the community needs of surrounding neighbourhoods. There is considerable overlap between the areas they each serve, with people looking to different places to meet different needs.
4 See www.stockport.gov.uk/our-key-principles