A 130-acre slice of Stockport town centre could be the first-ever testing ground for Mayoral Development Corporations in Greater Manchester.

City region Mayor Andy Burnham was granted the power to create development corporations under the Greater Manchester devolution settlement. The power is to be used in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The proposal for the first-ever Mayoral Development Corporation would cover the west of the town centre with the aim of creating a new 3,000-home urban village and unlocking development on brownfield sites.

The west of the town centre is already a focus for development interest with build-to-rent developers assessing sites. The current Stagecoach depot could see a skyscraper with up to 7,000 units.

The area is also seeing office development as Muse progresses with the next 60K SF phase of the Stockport Exchange scheme.

A final decision on whether to designate the area will be made in December.

“We look forward to working with the mayor and GMCA as we further investigate the option of establishing a MDC,” Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration Kate Butler said.