Stockport Character and Urban Density (SCUD) study

Reddish South District Centre (Houldsworth Square)

This webpage provides a summary of the Reddish South District Centre (Houldsworth Square) report.

The high street along Reddish Road and Gorton Road makes up a large proportion of the district centre and is made up of Victorian terraced buildings housing various local amenities and shops. The area features red-brick terraces with ornate details, chimney stacks and distinctive lamp posts.

Houldsworth Square is a key public space with Grade II listed clock and drinking fountain monument. It’s made up of tight-knit streets lined with buildings, narrow pavements and little greenery. High amounts of traffic create a poor pedestrian experience.

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

• characteristic Victorian buildings
• the Victorian street layout
• active frontages
• Houldsworth Square, a pedestrianised central point

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

• a lack of arrival into district centre and poor wayfinding
• a declining high street
• poor pedestrian and cyclist environment
• neglected community facilities

Consultation

A stakeholder consultation took place on 12 September 2023 at Edgeley Park. The consultation focused on the existing positive characteristics and opportunities for change. The key findings from this event were that:

• the footfall on the high street is decreasing
• there's a need for attractive and safe space for pedestrians and businesses along the high street
• connectivity, wayfinding and signage should be improved
• public transport connections should be improved
• the area is very dense but needs new local facilities to support a growing population
• new development around Broadstone Mill can be taller and provide new public spaces and local facilities

Potential for change

Existing homes in the area are terraces, converted apartments and single flats above shops. There are examples of new development of former mills within the area.

Reddish South is a mix of low‑rise Victorian terraced housing (up to 3 storeys). Historic mill buildings increase up to 6 storeys, with their chimneys and towers rising to 30 meters. This variation in scale contributes positively to the character of the place, creating local focal points and variation in roofscape and the skyline of the district centre.

Given this, the study identifies the potential to:

• increase density and height up to 4 storeys within small sites in the district centre
• increase height up to 4 storeys at gateways into the centre
• increase height up to 7 storeys around the historic mills, where existing heights of towers up to 7 storeys and proximity to the railway station 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 Reddish South/Houldsworth Square. 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 120 to 340 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 7 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 and attractive high street that supports local businesses
• new and improved community destinations
• enhanced active travel and access to key destinations
• improved public transport connections

Future development which increases scale and density in Reddish South/Houldsworth Square 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 Reddish South and Houldsworth Conservation Area 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, including the industrial mills
• contributing to the varied, stepped roofscape along the high street
• enhancing the pedestrian environment along the high street and surrounding areas
• re-using and creating new improved public spaces for historic buildings such as the mills
• emphasising design of the pedestrian environment at street level
• referencing historic mill proportions in the design of taller buildings
• improving car parking, making sure that residential amenities and the pedestrian experience are not negatively affected
• responding to existing building heights to preserve views and keep the scale of buildings consistent

Overall, the study concludes that there's opportunity to deliver sustainable living within Reddish South 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.