Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

Main report

The main report sets out the overview for the Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) Study.

This webpage provides a summary of the document.

Scope of the study

The SCUD study has been developed to support emerging Local Plan policy on residential density and tall buildings. You can find more information about the aims of the study in the SCUD study overview.

The study analyses the context and character of 13 areas across Stockport. The findings have been used to identify the densities (the number of homes within an area) and building heights that would be appropriate for future development.

The selected study areas are:

• Stockport Town Centre
• district centres: Bramhall, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Edgeley, Hazel Grove, Marple, Reddish South (Houldsworth Square) and Romiley
• large local centres (Southern Growth Corridor settlements): Gatley and Heald Green
• other accessible locations: A6 South and A6 North

Summary of the approach

The approach set out below was used for most of the study areas.

The only exception to this is the town centre. You can find out more about the methods used for this area in the Town Centre report summary.

1. Using existing policy and evidence

The study looks at existing local and national and policy. This helps to understand Stockport’s position on residential density and design.

The key findings are that:

• national policy supports compact development. This means that development should use available land as efficiently as possible by achieving appropriate densities

• the National Model Design Code provides typical density measures which have been used as a benchmark for the study

• the existing Core Strategy policy around housing density does not meet the suggested densities set out in the National Model Design Code

• the Town Centre West Strategic Regeneration Framework identifies appropriate areas for increased density and taller buildings across this area. As such, this study focuses on areas of the town centre to the east of this area

• the study can be used to support the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

• national government require local authorities to prepare borough-wide design codes to secure higher quality design outcomes

2. Identifying sites within study areas

A review of the documents relating to land availability was undertaken. This helped to identify sites already noted as having potential for future development. Sites identified through this process are referred to as ‘known sites’.

As well as highlighting these known sites, the study also looks at other sites in the study areas where development of increased scale and density may be possible. These sites are referred to as ‘opportunity sites’.

The following variables were used to identify sites to be included in the study:

• strategic location (located close to local services and facilities)
• public transport accessibility
• land ownership/availability
• constraints and townscape context (for example, close to historic buildings, flood risk, close to railway lines)
• potential to create wider place benefits
• potential visual impact
• site efficiency; this considers the current use and layout of a site. Where a site includes only one use (for example, a supermarket), or the layout design does not make the best use of the site, alternatives have been considered

3. Using best practice examples

The study uses a range of best practice examples to inform the analysis of each study area. The study looks at development schemes in similar areas to find examples of best practice. These examples highlight how residential densities could be increased in a way that’s sensitive and appropriate to the area.

4. Analysing the townscape character of each study area

Understanding the existing character and context of each study area is an important part of this study.

The study uses a range of methods to understand the context and character of each study area. These include:

• spatial analysis: identifying each area’s key local amenities and infrastructure
• building heights analysis
• conservation area appraisals review: these appraisals define what’s important about the character and appearance of each of the conservation areas
• townscape character appraisals: providing a factual overview of the key characteristics of each of the study areas
• density analysis of existing residential blocks
• identifying key views and other sensitive visual elements (for example, historic buildings/structures and other important buildings, views out to hills)
• visual sensitivity analysis

5. Spatial analysis: how tall is a tall building in that area?

The definition of a tall building changes across different areas. Therefore, it’s important to define what can be classed as a tall building in each study area. This is done by looking at existing building heights in the area.

6. Identifying appropriate locations for taller buildings and defining appropriate building heights

The study uses findings from the spatial analysis to define a minimum and higher building height for each site. The study also identifies locations where the development of taller buildings may be appropriate without having a negative impact on the character of the area.

7. Exploring density ranges for identified sites

The study uses a density calculator to inform appropriate density ranges for the different types of site identified. A masterplanning exercise, generating an indicative site layout, underpins the process. For each site an indicative masterplan layout has been provided. The masterplan indicates the proposed arrangement of buildings, streets and the public spaces.

The study has identified a high number of sites of varying sizes and contexts. Given this, the study has categorised sites by 'type' (you can find more information on this in the full report). This allows the development of assumptions on net developable area on the same type of site without having to test each site in detail.

The study defines the amount of area that can be used for development on each site. This is known as the net-developable area. This takes into account factors such as open space, public spaces, car parking and a mix of housing.

8. Gathering stakeholder feedback from consultation events

Three stakeholder engagement sessions took place in September 2023, where local businesses and community groups were invited to take part in a series of workshops. Each session focused on a selection of study areas.

The sessions were used to establish the existing issues and assets of the area. The feedback from these sessions was used to help inform the placemaking priorities for each area. 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.

9. Recommendations

Using the information gathered from the previous steps, a series of recommendations are provided for each study area.

Placemaking frameworks are provided to set out the recommended priorities for change. 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.

Design guidance and policy recommendations are also provided. The design guidance sets out suggested principles which new developments should follow to achieve sensitive and appropriate residential densities. The policy recommendations set out how the findings of the study should be addressed in emerging planning policy.

Summary and policy

The main report concludes with a number of policy recommendations for residential density and taller buildings across the borough.

For residential density, the policy recommendations are as follows:

• make best use of the land for housing
• respond sensitively and innovatively to townscape character
• protect residents’ privacy, outlook and access to sunlight
• make sure that car parking design creates a positive sense of place along streets and in public spaces, and does not dominate the urban environment
• provide an appropriate amount of high-quality public spaces
• create diverse and mixed communities

For taller buildings, the policy recommendations are as follows:

• use area specific design guidance to inform proposals
• refer to the Stockport Town Centre Residential Guide's advice on tall buildings
• in the town centre, tall buildings should be located within set zones (tall buildings and higher density zones)
• in the other study areas, tall buildings should be located within the areas identified in the reports
• tall building proposals should be supported by detailed visual sensitive analysis. This should show that the tall building will integrate well into the surrounding area and will not impact important views