The accessibility of Stockport Town Centre by a range of modes and its strategic position on the rail network only 2 hours from London is a major attribute for investors and is a key driver for its future role. The Town Centre Access Plan completed in 2020 improved access and eased congestion in and around the town centre, helping to increase efficiency and reliability and support the investments made to date. The £73 million initiative was aided by funding from the Local Growth Fund and Greater Manchester Growth Deal and will further reinforce Stockport and its town centre as an important place to do business.
The town centre includes the highest concentration of heritage assets in the borough. Opportunities which provide a sustainable future for assets identified on the Heritage at Risk Register will be supported where they are not incompatible with their conservation.
STC 2a: Town centre policy areas
Subject to policy CEN 2 and policy CEN 4, development in the Town Centre Policy Areas of policy STC 2b and STC 2c will be supported for the following:
For development in Town Centre Policy Areas of Middle Hillgate, Higher Hillgate and those within policy STC 2c for Town Centre West, it must be demonstrated that:
Retail and other main town centre uses proposed within the Town Centre Policy Areas that are outside the Main Town Centre Use Area shall be small-scale and ancillary to appropriate uses and will be required to satisfy the sequential test in policy CEN 4 and the threshold for local community shops in policy CEN 7 as appropriate.
The main town centre uses considered appropriate; and
Mixed-use development for residential and main town centre uses and/or town centre neighbourhood facilities.
It contributes positively to the vitality and viability of Stockport Town Centre and sustainable economic growth and job creation in the borough; and
Where a net loss of employment land or floorspace is proposed, the requirements of policy BUS 3a and policy BUS 4 are satisfied; and
Where no residential development is proposed, the development will not undermine the town centre as a priority residential location.