The National Industrial Strategy (2025) recognises the vast potential of city regions such as Greater Manchester and that issues that restrain growth such as poor transport connections, skills shortages and a lack of commercially viable investment opportunities need to be tackled. It also identifies eight ‘growth driving sectors’ of advanced manufacturing, creative industries, clean energy, digital, financial services, defence, life sciences and professional services. These sectors account for 49.1 % of Stockport’s total business base which is above the GM average of 44.1%.

The policy supports data centres in appropriate locations, in recognition of their growing importance within the national critical infrastructure. By their nature, data centres often require sizable parcels of land and, depending on their scale, can be resource intensive. Policy BUS 2, BUS 3a and BUS 3b provide support to this approach.

The borough is home to a number of mill buildings. These can have high levels of vacancy, poorer state of repair and other viability constraints and so this type of accommodation is becoming less suitable for employment use, with some increasingly considered for residential conversion. The combination of residential and employment uses in mills has been proven to be successful and there are more opportunities for mixed-use developments around the borough.

The provision of additional storeys offers an opportunity to maximise floorspace where site size and land supply is constrained. This may be an effective solution to increase office floorspace although this will not be possible in all employment locations and may be dependent on the layout of buildings and access requirements.

The Employment Land Review notes that the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda is being embraced by the logistics sector in particular, and is focused around carbon reduction, the impact on the environment and wellness, with performance against these criteria having consequences for profitability and investment. Amongst other considerations, the Council will seek to ensure that commitments in the Climate and Nature (CAN) Plan and the Economic Plan are being met.

1. Class E office developments will be permitted in or on the edge of our centres in accordance with the sequential test under policy CEN 4. The town centre will provide the primary location for office development, in particular within the Exchange Quarter Town Centre Policy Area. Small-scale offices that are integral