Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing.

Stockport Town Centre 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 design guide has been through a period of consultation and subsequently some amendments are proposed. Following Cabinet approval a final version of the design guide will be prepared and made available on the council’s website.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Approve the proposed amendments to the Town Centre Residential Design Guide as detailed in appendix 1 to this report and outlined in appendix 2; and

(2) Approve adoption of the (amended) Town Centre Residential Design Guide for publication on the council’s website and subsequent use as a material consideration in development management and other development related processes.

Officer contact: Hannah Mitchell on 0161 474 3771 or email: hannah.mitchell@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the draft Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide that aimed to set out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the proposed amendments to the Town Centre Residential Design Guide as detailed in appendix 1 to this report and outlined in appendix 2; and

(2) That the (amended) Town Centre Residential Design Guide be approved and adopted for publication on the council’s website and subsequent use as a material consideration in development management and other development related processes.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Place Making and Planning.

The report details the Town Centre Residential Design Guide which sets out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough and seeks Cabinet approval for the adoption of the Town Centre Residential Design Guide. 

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on and note the report.

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

The Assistant Director for Place Making & Planning submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Town Centre Residential Design Guide. The guide set out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough and sought Cabinet approval for the adoption of the guide.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Scrutiny Committee had previously considered the guide in February 2024. Since then, the guide had been subject to a public consultation in which 30 responses had been received. Using input from the consultation, some changes had been made to the document.

·         The guide was already being signposted to developers.

·         Members were pleased to see that the council had worked closely with Historic England in formulating the document. It was felt important to incorporate Stockport’s history into landscaping.

·         The guide put the borough in a strong position for high quality development. It was noted that delivering a high-quality material palette for less attractive buildings was important, as was making use of existing buildings e.g., Stopford House was now an award-winning building following its refurbishment.

·         Developers would be asked to go the extra mile to reduce emissions and future proof their developments to support the council’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Policies developed as part of the local plan would also support setting the expectations of the council to developers. The council was leading by example and demonstrating its expectations to developers with developments such as the Interchange and Eco Park. The council would also support developers needing extra help to contribute to the council’s goals.

Thanks were expressed to officers for their work on the guide.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.