Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate & Support Services.The Town Centre Residential Design Guide has been prepared to set out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.  

The Area Committee is requested to consider and note the consultation design guide. 

Officer contact: Hannah Mitchell 07815014590 | hannah.mitchell@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.

Officers were commended for their excellent work on the design guide.

RESOLVED – That the design guide and consultation be noted.

To consider a report Assistant Director, Place Making and Planning.

The report provides details relating to the Stockport Town Centre as it continues to change. At the heart of this transformation are ambitious plans to increase and enhance the town centre residential offer. However, to ensure high- quality and sustainable residential growth takes place, we must clearly outline our expectations. As such, the Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide sets out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the consultation Design Guide.

Officer contact: Hannah Mitchell | 07815 014590 | Hannah.mitchell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director Place Making and Planning submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the Stockport Town Centre as it continued to change. At the heart of this transformation were ambitious plans to increase and enhance the town centre residential offer. However, to ensure high- quality and sustainable residential growth takes place, the council must clearly outline its expectations. As such, the Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide sets out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The Town Centre Residential Design Guide has been prepared to set out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.  

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on and note the consultation design guide. 

Officer contact: Hannah Mitchell 07815014590 | hannah.mitchell@stockport.gov.uk  

The Director of Corporate & Support Services and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed Town Centre Residential Design Guide, which would set out the council’s design expectations for the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The aim of the guide was to set the council’s expectations around the delivery of the highest quality residential development in the borough. The guide was the start of the design code process and would assist planning officers in their role of development management, whilst setting design expectations for applicants.

·         The report was also due to be considered by the Central Stockport and Heatons & Reddish Area Committees week commencing Monday 4 March 2024.

·         The council were exploring taking part in the next design code pathfinder which, if successful, would enable the council to receive funding for the progression of a design code.

·         The council were keen to involve communities in the design code process, and recognised the challenges of consulting on a document that was highly technical in nature.

·         Members were pleased to see the intention for developments to be minimised when near heritage assets, which would help to retain Stockport’s heritage.

·         The guide would be reviewed at the appropriate time to enable the council to take stock as the town evolved.

Members welcomed the document and commended officers on an excellent piece of work.

RESOLVED – That the Town Centre Residential Design Guide and consultation be noted.