Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

A6 Corridor South

This webpage provides a summary of the A6 Corridor South report.

The study area for the A6 corridor south is made up of distinct high streets with a mix of traditional buildings, blending local retail, commercial, and residential uses.

In its vicinity are key landmarks such as St. George's Church and Hallam Mill.

While parts of the corridor are characterised by heritage buildings and a leafy green environment, others contrast sharply with light-industrial structures and a hard urban character.

High volumes of traffic and poorly designed footpaths detract from the overall pedestrian experience.

There are a number of positive characteristics in the area that should be retained and enhanced through the design of new development. These include:

• the green, leafy feel
• access to local greenspaces
• the variety of traditional heritage buildings

There are negative characteristics which should be improved through the design of new development. These include:

• a lack of sense of place
• the environment caters mostly to vehicles
• inactive frontages

Consultation

A stakeholder consultation took place on 25 September 2023 at Marple Senior Citizens Hall. The consultation focused on the existing positive characteristics and opportunities for change. The key findings from this event were that:

• the corridor acts as a barrier for pedestrians and cyclists due to wide lanes, high traffic volumes and poor pedestrian crossings
• it’s a poor environment for pedestrians and cyclists
• there’s a need for clutter-free, greener, more walkable and cyclable corridor
• there’s a need for pocket spaces (small public spaces) for the use of people and businesses
• there’s a need for vibrant streets with active ground floors and attractive public spaces
• there’s a need for a mix of housing types, including affordable housing, senior living and homes for young professionals

Potential for change

There are a few large residential developments along the corridor. These are located on the residential streets off the corridor and are typically terraces, semi-detached houses and some apartment blocks. There are also some examples of apartment development within the corridor.

Generally, building heights along the corridor are low-rise. They are typically up to 2 to 3 storeys in height. Some heritage buildings are taller, typically between 2 to 5 storeys. Closer to the entrance to Stockport Town Centre there are buildings over 10 storeys high. Given this, the study identifies the potential to:

• increase density and height up to 3 storeys within small, empty sites where there’s more space between buildings
• increase height up to 4 along the corridor at junctions that create focal points, presenting opportunities to create good quality public spaces
• increase height up to 10 storeys at the gateway into Stockport Town Centre

The study provides further character analysis of select sites within the areas. These sites have been identified as having the potential for positive change and wider public benefits along the A6 Corridor South. These sites have been chosen because of their:

• location
• size
• sensitivity
• capacity to incorporate development of increased scale and density

The study illustrates what could potentially be achieved on these types of sites and within their wider area. Planning permission is still required for all sites included, this study does not permit or propose specific development.

By analysing these areas from a design perspective, the study estimates the number of homes that these sites could hold. This is between 70 to 700 dph (dwellings per hectare).

Along the corridor, the most appropriate building height is 4 storeys and up to 10 storeys at the gateway to the town centre. The study recommends that apartments and town houses are the most suitable housing type for these areas.

Priorities for change

Through analysing the area, and consulting key stakeholders, the study identifies 3 placemaking priorities. Placemaking is the process used to shape public spaces and buildings, to create places where people want to live, work and visit. It should be rooted in a strong understanding of the character of the area and involvement from the local community.

The placemaking priorities should guide future development in the area. These are:

• a series of vibrant high streets
• connected neighbourhoods that are easy to navigate
• a green, safe and sustainable corridor

Future development which increases scale and density in the A6 Corridor South must be designed sensitively and holistically. It should respond to the existing townscape along the corridor and within the identified surrounding neighbourhoods.

As such, the study recommends design guidance to take into consideration through the design of new development. This includes:

• enhancing the existing positive characteristics along the corridor and within the surrounding neighbourhoods, as identified in the report
• contributing to the rich, stepped roofscape along the corridor
• enhancing the pedestrian environment along the corridor
• making sure that the design of taller development prioritises the pedestrian environment at street level
• creating appropriate boundaries between the corridor and new development to protect the privacy of homes, and improve the relationship of the building with the street (by allowing doors and windows to open onto the street in a practical way)

Overall, the study concludes that there's opportunity to deliver sustainable living within A6 Corridor South. New residential development should respond to local housing needs. The study shows that this can be achieved through sensitively increasing building heights and densities.