Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

Cheadle Hulme District Centre

This webpage provides a summary of the Cheadle Hulme District Centre report.

Cheadle Hulme District Centre generally features clusters of traditional Victorian and Edwardian red-brick buildings along the high street.

There are examples of modern, empty spaces being developed throughout the centre, although they are mostly located around the southern gateway into the village.

Contemporary housing developments have been established to the north, alongside the railway line, which include modern-style materials such as glass and metal. The centre has a varied, undulating topography, with a prominent dip in the roadway under the railway lines limiting longer views.

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

• green pocket spaces (small public spaces)
• active ground floor uses
• the increase in scale at key focal points
• level changes and views
• the varied roofscape

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

• inactive gateways
• inactive focal points
• a dominant road infrastructure
• varied widths in pavements and low-quality surfaces

Consultation

A stakeholder consultation took place on 14 September 2023 at the Upper Rooms, Cheadle. The consultation focused on the existing positive characteristics and opportunities for change. The key findings from this event were that:

• there's existing high footfall during the day and night
• there's a lack of social housing and a difficult market for renters
• existing office to residential conversions are poor quality
• the high street is a commuter route with not enough pedestrian crossings
• there's a need to improve the pedestrian environment along the high street and encourage local shops in the area
• there's a need to improve signage along roads for pedestrians and cyclists
• new development should celebrate the existing village feel and identity
• the character of the village on the high street should be retained
• there’s potential for taller development to the back of the high street and towards the railway
• there’s a need to improve and enhance the appearance of the high street, making it attractive for locals and visitors

Potential for change

The overall residential numbers within the district centre are fairly low when compared to the other the study areas. This is despite buildings being close together, with a relatively tight street pattern.

Cheadle Hulme District Centre has a mix of uses along the high street. This includes offices, large supermarket units and large car parking areas. There are only a small number of homes which exist within its boundary.

Generally, the area is characterised by low-rise buildings (up to 2 and a half storeys) and occasional taller elements at up to 4 storeys.

Given this, the study identifies the potential to:

• increase density and height of up to 4 storeys within small, empty sites and gateways into Cheadle Hulme, where the buildings become further apart in the district centre
• include taller buildings of up to 6 storeys where appropriate, such as where a landmark building can provide a focal point along a movement corridor; they must not block views to surrounding key assets
• increase density and height of up to 8 storeys in the area along the railway line, where the set back from main movement corridors can accommodate height

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 in Cheadle Hulme. 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 100 to 250 dph (dwellings per hectare).

Along the high street, the most appropriate building height is around 4 storeys. On some sites, buildings could reach up to 8 stories while still fitting within the look and feel of the area. The study recommends that apartments 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:

• wayfinding to local assets
• development which responds to existing heritage features
• enhancing the pedestrian environment in the district centre
• creating a vibrant high street

Future development which increases scale and density in Cheadle Hulme District Centre must be designed sensitively and holistically. It should respond to the existing townscape within and around the district centre.

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

• enhancing the existing positive characteristics of Cheadle Hulme identified in the character appraisal set out within the report
• delivering high-quality, contemporary development that fits with the distinctive architectural features within the area
• contributing to the varied, stepped roofscape along the high street
• enhancing the pedestrian environment along the high street

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