Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

Cheadle District Centre

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

Cheadle District Centre comprises the historic high street with a range of commercial uses.

There's a wide range of built form across the area. This includes older traditional buildings to more modern contemporary structures. The street has a varied skyline with traditional pitched roofs punctuated by taller modern buildings. The pavement areas vary in width and there's limited space for outdoor seating.

The study has identified a number of positive characteristics in the area that should be retained and enhanced through the design of new development. This includes:

• distinctive historic buildings
• historic architectural character
• variation in roofscape
• an easy to navigate, tight knit street pattern
• ground floor active frontages
• green pocket spaces (small public spaces)

The study has also identified negative characteristics which should be improved through the design of new development. This includes:

• a lack of greenery along streets
• low quality public spaces along the high street and key gateways

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 should be more ground floor uses along the high street which encourage outdoor seating
• crossing points at key junctions should be improved
• there’s a lack of greenery along the high street
• there are vacant buildings and a lack of community assets such as banks
• attractive buildings at the end of the high street should be preserved

Potential for change

There are a few large residential developments within Cheadle. These are located on the outskirts of the district centre and are typically terraces, semi-detached houses and some apartment blocks. There are also some examples of apartment development within the district centre.

Generally, building heights in Cheadle are low-rise. They are typically up to 2 and a half storeys in height. However, there are buildings of up to 4 storeys in some locations. Given this, the study identifies the potential to:

• increase density and height up to 4 storeys within small, empty sites in the district centre
• increase height up to 5 storeys at gateways into the centre
• increase height up to 5 storeys around the future railway station, where changes in levels 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. 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 amount of homes that these sites could hold. This is between 60 to 200 dph (dwellings per hectare).

On some sites, buildings could reach up to 5 stories while still fitting within the look and feel of the area. The study recommends that town houses and 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:

• development which responds to local character and housing need
• attractive streets and connectivity to surrounding assets
• a vibrant high street

Future development which increases scale and density in Cheadle 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 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 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.