Claim: We need a ‘real plan’ for the town centre with more housing.
In election literature, Stockport Lib Dems have said they think we need ‘a real plan’ for our town centre which includes more housing in the Stockport centre.
Reality: This is already Stockport Labour Policy
Stockport Labour have made this central to our Local Plan and Brownfield First approach, we have a Town Centre Living strategy centred on this, and have hosted two major events – one launching our Town Centre Prospectus to developers and the Town Centre Living Summit with GM Mayor Andy Burnham. We are also the first to ask the Mayor to consider making Town Centre West his inaugural mayoral development corporation.
More leaflet fodder from the Liberal Democrats feeding on our ideas. This echoes their attempt to steal our mantle on Road Safety around Schools with last year’s budget amendment and our efforts to releasing budget details early. Claiming credit is one way of putting it.
We do worry for the Liberal Democrats if they get into back into administration. Wherever will they get their ideas?
At the risk of giving the Lib Dems more material – here is a selection of action we’ve taken on the Town Centre:
- Labour saved the Market Hall from closure, and unveiled ambitious plans for Stockport’s historic core including plans to breathe new life into the whole Market Place and Underbanks area.
- Under Labour Stockport was the first area to bid into the GM Mayoral Town Centre Challenge.
- A re-invigorated Brownfield First approach has been central to our development plans for Stockport, along with the acquisition of strategically important assets through Compulsory Purchase Orders, helping to regenerate our town centre and minimising incursion into our valuable greenbelt.
- Labour brought forward the White Lion redevelopment for to be used for housing after the LibDems left it close to dereliction for years.
- Labour agreed a multi-million pound renovation and upgrade for the neglected Merseyway centre.
- Labour oversaw completion and launch of the £45million Redrock Cinema and Leisure complex, transforming the Town Centre evening economy.
- Labour are planting hundreds of trees and building new green public spaces into Town Centre regeneration.
- The Town Centre Ambassadors Project has been launched with local people and businesses joining a network of advocates for our Town Centre Revival.
- Labour agreed £42million plans to upgrade Stockport’s bus station into a fully modern transport interchange, opening up the River Mersey and providing 200 new residential units set in a new three acre park.
- Labour are currently progressing the £73 million Town Centre Access Plan which will make it easier for everyone to travel into and around Stockport, increase employment and generate economic growth by improving access to and around the town, to M60, the new interchange and rail station, and to key regeneration and development sites.
- And much, much more contained in our Local Plan for Stockport.