Purpose

The proposed Mayoral Development Corporation will provide a dedicated delivery vehicle to support regeneration and economic growth across Ashton and Stalybridge. The area has been identified as a key location for transport-led regeneration, with opportunities to improve connectivity, unlock development sites, support town centre renewal, deliver new homes and employment space, and attract public and private investment.

The designation follows previous GMCA approval in principle to the creation of an MDC for Ashton & Stalybridge and the Mayor’s approval to undertake consultation on the proposal.

The proposed Ashton & Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) will play a key role in delivering the Tameside Vision. Establishing the MDC will help attract public and private investment, raising the profile of Tameside across Greater Manchester and nationally, helping to attract further investment and growth. These potential investments could support:
• Around 3,000 new homes, including affordable housing
• New jobs and employment opportunities
• Improved services and local facilities

Following a public consultation that closed 8th July 2026, a number of recurring themes were identified. Some respondents suggested that the MDC boundary should be expanded to include a wider area of Tameside. Concerns relating to governance, planning, and bureaucracy have also been taken into account. Respondents also raised concerns regarding costs and value for money.

While these views are acknowledged, the purpose of an MDC is to provide focused intervention within a defined area where specific priorities can be delivered and the benefits generated by the MDC and the proposed transport interventions will extend beyond the boundary, supporting wider growth across Tameside and neighbouring towns. The proposed model retains Tameside Council as the local planning authority, helping to address concerns that the MDC may duplicate existing responsibilities or democratic processes. Rather than creating additional layers of governance, the MDC will provide a dedicated vehicle to coordinate delivery, attract investment, and drive forward key regeneration priorities. This approach is intended to reduce barriers to implementation and ensure that sufficient focus and resources are directed towards achieving the MDC’s objectives.

After careful review, it is considered that these concerns do not outweigh the significant benefits that the MDC can bring. Consultation responses demonstrated strong support for the creation of the MDC, with 61.34% of respondents agreeing there could be a role for an MDC in improving Ashton & Stalybridge & 50.42% of respondents agreed that an MDC for the Ashton & Stalybridge area would support development, growth, and improvements across the borough.

Decision

The Mayor;
1. Noted and considered the results of the consultation exercise in respect of the designation of a Mayoral Development Corporation in Ashton & Stalybridge.
2. Noted a statutory consultation has taken place with all GM constituent councils and each Member of Parliament whose parliamentary constituency contains any part of the area.
3. Agreed to endorse the response to the consultation set out in section 5 of this report.
4. Noted that Tameside Council approved the proposal to designate the area at its meeting on 26 August 2026.
5. Supported the proposal and approved the designation moving to the next phase of the approval process, noting that a report will then be laid before the GMCA stating that the Mayor proposes to designate the area identified at Appendix 1 of this report as a Mayoral Development Area.
6. Agreed to designate the Mayoral development area for Ashton & Stalybridge, subject to the GMCA approving, and to notify the Secretary of State of the designation and the name to be given to the Mayoral Development Corporation, as follows: “Ashton & Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation”.

Alternative options considered

Alternative delivery options were considered through earlier work with Tameside Council, including the option of not proceeding with an MDC and relying on existing delivery arrangements. These options were not considered sufficient to provide dedicated leadership, long-term governance, delivery capacity, and investment platform required to support the scale and complexity of regeneration proposed across Ashton and Stalybridge. The option of not designating an MDC was rejected because it would reduce the ability to coordinate partners, attract investment, accelerate delivery, and provide a clear statutory vehicle for regeneration across the proposed area.