Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

Gatley Large Local Centre

This webpage provides a summary of the Gatley Large Local Centre report.

Gatley offers a range of amenities, including local shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs.

The high street features a mix of buildings, including traditional terraces with mixed ground floor uses, modern development blocks for residential living and a range of businesses.

Gatley Village Conservation Area covers the whole of the large local centre boundary.

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

• pockets of green, open spaces
• buildings that are close together and a tight-knit street pattern
• stepping roofscape
• active ground floor land uses

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

• inactive gateways and urban nodes (key focal points)
• dominant road infrastructure
• varied pavement widths and low-quality surfaces

Consultation

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

• development could be more appropriate for families
• active ground floors with housing above could work well
• there’s interest in start-up and co-working spaces
• there's a desire for more facilities for young people
• there are opportunities for place-based improvements to the front of shops
• there are opportunities for community and public spaces with pedestrian and cycle connectivity

Potential for change

Gatley Large Local Centre contains a relatively high number of residential properties. These are supported by a range of non-residential uses, including commercial, pubs, retail, food and beverage at ground-floor, with residential uses above.

The surrounding areas predominantly consist of residential dwellings and are made up of detached and semi-detached homes. There are also some larger apartment buildings.

Generally, building heights in Gatley are low-rise. They are typically up to 2 and a half storeys in height. However, there are buildings of up to 3 storeys in some locations. Given this, the study identifies the potential to:

• increase density and height of up to 4 storeys within small, empty sites and gateways into Gatley where there’s more space between buildings
• include taller buildings of up to 5 storeys where appropriate, such as where a landmark building can provide a focal point

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 Gatley. 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 90 to 190 dph (dwellings per hectare).

Along the high street, the most appropriate building height is around 3 storeys. 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 apartments are the most suitable housing type for these areas.

Priorities for change

Through analysing the area, and consulting key stakeholders, the study identifies 2 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:

• enhancing day and night community activity
• creating and enhancing connections to, and through, surrounding green features

Future development which increases scale and density in Gatley Large Local 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 Gatley 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 Gatley Large Local 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.