Much of the focus of the levelling up agenda has been on the Government's White Paper and the new wave of devolution bringing more combined authorities and enhanced powers for existing metro mayors.

However, Mayoral Development Corporations (MDC), a model created back in 2011, are increasingly being looked at as the vehicles to deliver levelling up in the form of bricks and mortar, with two in the Tees Valley set for approval by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority's MDC in Stockport has been up and running since 2019 and has already helped to deliver £175m of the Town Centre West redevelopment. It includes the opening phases of the Stockport Exchange office development and the Mailbox, which saw the conversion of a Royal Mail sorting office into homes and workspace.

Ultimately, the £500m project is expected to create up to 4,000 new homes and workspace for up to 5,300 new jobs, alongside green spaces and transport improvements.

Stockport MBC's leader Mark Hunter is enthusiastic about the ‘groundbreaking' undertaking and being at the vanguard of MDCs. ‘It has the power to be truly transformational,' he told The MJ. ‘The town centre was in need of a revamp and we certainly need more homes at affordable prices. It will become unrecognisable from what it was. It's a very exciting time and we are pleased to be a trailblazer.'

The corporation is chaired by former head of the UK civil service, Lord Bob Kerslake, who said he was drawn to the project by the potential it promised.

‘It's a great model and there's been an extraordinary amount achieved,' he says. ‘It's about projects that advance place-making and complement other projects happening in the town, and shows what can be achieved in sustainable development.'

As the ex-permanent secretary for the then-Department for Communities and Local Government, it also appealed to Lord Kerslake for its localism. ‘It has been a local initiative from the off and a textbook example of why devolution is the way to go,' he states.

He says the project was ‘an example of how you can get town and city to come together in a complementary way'.

Rather than attempting to compete with the likes of Manchester, Stockport's regeneration aimed to offer something different. On the contrary, a key part of the plan is to enhance transport infrastructure to provide easier links between the two.

The MDC has enabled the bringing together of the council and combined authority with partners such as Homes England and in private sector. However, engagement with the public has been equally crucial.

Cllr Hunter explains: ‘It's important we take local residents with us on this journey. We know there's a demand for it. What everybody wants to see is a successful project that is going to deliver new homes and new businesses.'

Although the model has its advantages, Cllr Hunter says it would not work for every authority. The fact Stockport has no overall control politically was one hurdle that had to be overcome.

‘In that situation the only way to get things done is to work together,' he adds. ‘All three party leaders were enthusiastic from the beginning.

‘It's a very powerful statement that all the parties were behind the establishment of the development corporation.'

Lord Kerslake agrees: ‘It's a great model but it won't be right for everybody. We have a strong team working to a clear business plan, and a consensus to work together to give continuity to the project.'

A strong board was essential, and having a plan ‘really matters', as long as there is ‘agility' to adjust them. Lord Kerslake also recommended having a ‘resilient analysis of the challenges and opportunities of the place you are in'.

Cllr Hunter adds: ‘You have to have a plan that's sustainable for the foreseeable future, being able to adapt to changing circumstances.'

While the MDC was literally and metaphorically laying the foundations for the regeneration of the heart of Stockport, Cllr Hunter explains it will require a new approach for its revival to be truly sustainable, with town centres across the country struggling to arrest the decline in high street retail.

‘There are still those reasons for people who like traditional shopping, but times have moved on and it isn't coming back in the same volumes as 20 to 30 years ago.

‘We have seen a phenomenal growth in small, independent businesses. We need to become a destination of choice again and that's bringing another audience from further afield.'

Lord Kerslake says: ‘There's no way back, but Stockport has shown it's possible to reverse that trend.'

But he stresses that it requires the help of the local authority to help ensure the revival in the town's fortunes. ‘The council is proactive in its interventions. The days are gone when you could say let the market get on with it.'

Cllr Hunter adds: ‘We all share the view that there are so many good things happening here, we just need people to know about it. We have a very powerful story to tell.'