Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

Hazel Grove District Centre

This webpage provides a summary of the Hazel Grove District Centre report.

Hazel Grove District Centre is long and linear, located along the A6. It presents a range of local high street uses, which are generally at ground floor with residential or commercial uses above.

The character, roofscape and scale of the buildings varies significantly along the stretch of the Hazel Grove District Centre.

Building types vary, including:

• terraces with active ground floor uses
• semi-detached homes
• detached buildings of traditional character
• large retail units

The northern gateway into Hazel Grove consists of predominantly large, modern retail units with some traditional red-brick terraces and semi-detached homes alternating across London Road.

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

• pocket spaces (small public spaces) and a park
• stepping roofscape
• continuous building frontages
• ground floor active frontages

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

• inactive gateways
• limited street planting and mature trees
• a lack of public open space
• varied pavements and low-quality surfaces

Consultation

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

• there’s a need to create calmer and safer roads for families, children and elderly people
• there’s a need to improve streets and create attractive environments for people and businesses
• existing local heritage assets should be celebrated
• there’s potential to celebrate heritage through wayfinding
• historic local traditions should be celebrated as events for locals and visitors
• there’s a need to improve the condition of footpaths and crossing environments for pedestrians and cyclists
• pocket spaces are a positive element for people and local businesses
• mixed-use development is needed to create a vibrant high street through Hazel Grove
• social and local facilities should be included within new development

Potential for change

A small number of residential developments are located within Hazel Grove. They’re generally located on the outskirts of the district centre and are typically terraces, semi-detached houses and some apartment blocks. There are some examples of apartment development within the district centre.

Generally, building heights in Hazel Grove are low-rise. They're 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 of up to 3 storeys within small, empty sites where's more space between buildings
• deliver taller development of up to 4 storeys along London Road at key junctions, to make the environment easier to navigate, and to help create good quality spaces
• include taller buildings of up to 5 storeys at gateways into Hazel Grove District Centre
• increase density and height of up to 6 storeys at Hazel Grove Railway Station, where the 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 Hazel Grove. 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 80 to 300 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 6 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 4 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 vibrant high street
• connected and legible neighbourhoods
• a green, safe and sustainable corridor
• development which responds to local character and housing needs

Future development which increases scale and density in Hazel Grove 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 Hazel Grove 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 Hazel Grove 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.