More than 3,000 new homes could be built in Stockport alongside new warehouses, including on the green belt, if plans are given the go-ahead. The push comes after Stockport Council failed to meet government targets and was told it needs to add a 20% buffer on land given over to housing over the next few years.
This could put more pressure on the local authority to allow green belt development to go ahead in the future at a time when developers have been sending plans to the town hall. Residential applications must also now be decided with a presumption in favour of approval, which will make it easier for developers.
Government housing targets and the 20% buffer
The change for Stockport does not mean green belt developments would automatically get the go-ahead because policies protecting those areas are still in place. The changes may actually help any brownfield schemes move forward. However, the council will now be required to demonstrate the negatives significantly outweigh the positives if it rejects any plans, including on the countryside.
Figures published by the UK Government showed the borough delivered 1,457 homes against the 3,408 the government said was needed between 2022 and 2025. The latest figures put Stockport at the bottom of the government's league table over housing delivery for the North West of England and the whole north of England.
Political reaction to the housing shortfall
Stockport Labour have criticised the situation, with Coun Rachel Wise telling the Manchester Evening News: "The numbers are worse now than they were then, and the borough has gone backwards while every other council in the North moved forward."
However, Liberal Democrat leader Coun Mark Roberts said they were delivering a new plan which would deliver 'sustainable housing on our brownfield sites within our town and district centres', adding: "Stockport is buzzing, with new homes being delivered for all to see, our town centre regeneration is being hailed as a blueprint for towns across the country by the new [Prime Minister]."
Major planning applications awaiting decisions
Regardless of political disagreements, the situation now means a number of major developments across the borough could get the go-ahead following the latest government order. Here is a list of the major outstanding planning applications currently on Stockport's planning portal that are waiting for a decision.
Land north of Stanley Road and west of the A34 in Heald Green: Developer Bloor Homes has submitted plans to Stockport Council for approval, with hopes of building 675 homes on land in Heald Green East between the A34 and A555. Bloor Homes said the masterplan would see more than £100m invested into the local area if approved, creating more than 500 construction jobs in total. The plans involve creating a new local centre to provide 'essential services' for future residents, including a health clinic. Space has also been earmarked for a future park and ride facility and train station, which bosses say would need to be brought forward by Network Rail or Transport for Greater Manchester. A decision on this is due on September 16 2026.
Land south of Stanley Road and Grove Lane in Cheadle Hulme: Stonebond Properties wanted to build 126 homes off Grove Lane on former sports pitches which is now 'rough grassland'. The site is described as being 'close to a vibrant mix and choice of retailing, cafés, bars, restaurants and employment opportunities' in the application. A design and access statement said: "The proposed development comprises new residential dwellings including new landscaping and areas of public open space," adding: "The development at Grove Lane, Stockport, will provide an attractive area to live with high quality designed homes." A decision on this was due on June 9 2026 but has not been made yet.
Land off Moor Lane in Woodford: Miller Homes has put forward plans for up to 130 homes to be built. In a design and access statement, they said: "The proposed development provides a unique opportunity to create a new vibrant place to live, with connections to the existing movement networks and natural features." A decision is due on the application by August 25 2026.
Land off Jenny Lane in Woodford: Richborough have put forward plans for up to 75 homes along with a new green space in Woodford which they said will 'create a sustainable and attractive development to the village, inspired by the context and local character of Woodford and the aspirations of the Woodford Neighbourhood Plan'. They are promising that at least 50% of the homes or around 38 of these will be classified as affordable, while the site which is currently private would be opened up to the public and the wider community to enjoy. A decision is due on the application by November 5 2026.
Land at Upper Swinesye Farm in Woodford: Barratt David Wilson Homes North West and Michael Glen Kingsley are hoping to deliver up to 455 new homes on the farm near Woodford with 50% of these being affordable. A design and access statement linked to the plans said: "This planning application marks a major step forward in the exciting opportunity that the development of the Site at Upper Swineseye Farm, Woodford, represents." A decision on this application was due on August 12 2026 but has not yet been made.
Land south of Chester Road in Woodford: Plans have been put forward by Russell LDP and Stantec to build the new homes off Chester Road in Woodford. The development would include up to 423 new homes as well as an extra care facility for those over 55 with up to 72 beds. Alongside this, there are plans for shops, food and drink venues up to 100 square metres, new health services, a nursery or day centre, as well as a new nature park. A decision is due on the application by October 6 2026.
Land off Lytham Drive in Bramhall: Wain Estates want to build up to 200 new homes across nearly five and a half hectares of land. A design and access statement for the application said: "The submitted planning application seeks outline planning consent for a high quality sustainable residential development. The vision for the development is to provide a number of beneficial elements for the existing and future communities." A decision on the application was due to be made on June 26 2026 but has not been made yet.
Mill Bank Farm off Chester Road in Hazel Grove: Plans have been put in by Bellway Homes for 134 new houses at Mill Bank Farm off Chester Road in Hazel Grove, Stockport. If given planning approval by Stockport Council, the new homes would be built on fields just north of the A555 on an area currently designated green belt. The development promises to create 'create a well-informed attractive neighbourhood, not overly dominated by the car and give a sensitive integration and robust solution to the existing character area'. A decision was due on this application by August 10 2026 but has not been made.
Land next to Jacksons Lane in Hazel Grove: Bellway want to deliver 176 homes off Jacksons Lane with the scheme being a mix of two to four bed dwellings up to two storeys in height. A decision was due on this application by June 19 2026 but has not been made.
Land north of Buxton Road in Hazel Grove: Hollins Strategic Land want to build up to 75 new homes as well as new public space near Hazel Grove. Documents linked to the application said: "The application is submitted in outline and seeks planning permission for the construction of up to 75 dwelling houses, access, open space and associated infrastructure." A decision is due on October 8 2026.
Land south of Mill Lane in Hazel Grove: Hollins Strategic Land want to build up to 31 new homes as well as public open space on another site near Hazel Grove. Documents put forward as part of the application said: "Overall, it has been demonstrated that not only is the site a suitable and sustainable location for new housing development but also that the scale of development proposed can be successfully accommodated on the site in a manner which respects the various technical constraints whilst also adhering to established principles of good urban design." A decision is due on October 8 2026.
Land at the Simpson Business Centre off Buxton Road in Hazel Grove: Nine new homes could be built on land at the Simpsons Business Centre in Hazel Grove with developers arguing the land is grey belt. A decision was due on this application on May 5 2026 but has not been made yet.
Land off Mill Street in Hazel Grove: This application is in its early stages but Northstone Development Ltd is looking to develop up to 174 new homes here. A decision was due on May 12 2026 but this has not been made. Northstone were hoping to submit a planning application in May but this appears to have been delayed. Earlier this year, Northstone said they hoped to finish construction by 2030 if their plans were approved.
Land at Hyde Bank Meadows in Romiley: Up to 250 homes could be built here under plans put forward by Seddon. These plans are in their early stages but could 'include a mix of small dwellings and larger family homes'. A decision was due on the application over whether an environmental impact assessment is needed by April 23 2026 but this has not been made yet.
Land northeast of Bredbury Industrial Estate: These plans look to extend the Bredbury Park Industrial Estate on an 'unoccupied and overgrown' site. Developers FI Group hope to 'provide much needed jobs and industrial units in the area' through the expansion. Documents attached to the application said: "Unlike previous proposals for this site, we are proposing a much smaller employment development and are not seeking to develop a large-scale regional distribution hub. Instead we want to provide a mix of units - from starter units to mid-range - that offer flexibility of use for light and general industry and local warehousing and distribution." A decision was due on June 22 2026 but has not been made yet.
Land southwest of Shakespeare Road in Bredbury: Westchurch Homes want to build 134 affordable homes just outside of Bredbury which they said 'would deliver a range of high quality, high specification homes for the local community in a sustainable location'. A decision is due on the plans by October 28 2026.
