Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Economy & Regeneration and Communities & Housing

Town Centre Living is a major element of our wider approach to the regeneration of Stockport Town Centre and key to driving forward quality residential development as part of our commitment to Brownfield First.

This report and the accompanying Development Framework document set out an approach to bringing forward residential development, and the essential supporting social infrastructure, based around five principles:

·              Direct intervention by the Council to improve the viability of residential development

·              Utilising public sector powers to improve land supply and land assembly, especially in Town Centre West

·              Production of a residential design guide to encourage the delivery of high quality town centre housing

·              Planning policies which move with market conditions to ensure the delivery of suitable and appropriate schemes

The provision of social infrastructure and open space which supports residential growth and enhances the attractiveness of the town centre for existing residents

Cabinet is recommended to:

·              Endorse the Town Centre Living Development Framework document annexed to this report;

·              Approve the specific proposals relating to planning policy set out in the Development Framework namely:

o       Exploring the potential to pool Section 106 contributions; and

o       Exploring the targeted use of the Article 4 Direction to influence the quality of development carried out under the General Permitted Development Order(s)

·              Agree to the production of a Residential Design Guide for approval in late summer;

·              Approve the production of a Strategic Regeneration Framework for the Town Centre West area as part of wider work to create an appropriate delivery vehicle to unlock development in the Town Centre West area;

·              Note the work underway to bring forward transformative residential schemes on the Interchange and Weir Mill sites.

Officer contact: Paul Richards, 0161-474-2940, paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing and Economy & Regeneration was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a proposed approach to bringing forward residential development, and the essential supporting social infrastructure, in the Town Centre, as part of the wider commitment to its regeneration and the Cabinet’s commitment to Brownfield First development.

It was emphasised that the Strategy sought to address not just future housing need but also the associated infrastructure to support people living well in the Town Centre.

Cabinet Members thanked officers for their hard work in developing this Policy.

RESOLVED – That in relation to Town Centre Living:-

·         the Town Centre Living Development Framework document annexed to the report be endorsed;

·         the specific proposals relating to planning policy set out in the Development Framework be approved, namely:

·         exploring the potential to pool Section 106 contributions; and

·         exploring the targeted use of the Article 4 Direction to influence the quality of development carried out under the General Permitted Development Order(s)

·         approval be given to the production of a Residential Design Guide for approval in late summer;

·         approval be given to the production of a Strategic Regeneration Framework for the Town Centre West area as part of wider work to create an appropriate delivery vehicle to unlock development in the Town Centre West area; and

·         the work underway to bring forward transformative residential schemes on the Interchange and Weir Mill sites be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report, and the detailed Development Framework document included as an Annex, outlines the scale of the opportunity for Stockport’s residential market in light of the momentum generated by ongoing regeneration and transport infrastructure programmes, and assesses the barriers to bringing forward residential growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and recommendations.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email:  paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the scale of the opportunity for Stockport’s residential market in light of the momentum generated by ongoing regeneration and transport infrastructure programmes, and assessing the barriers to bringing forward residential growth.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The aim was to start work on the strategy as soon as approval was given by the Cabinet.
• The more residential development in the town centre would reduce the pressure on the green belt.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports the strategy.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report, and the detailed Development Framework document included as an Annex, outlines the scale of the opportunity for Stockport’s residential market in light of the momentum generated by ongoing regeneration and transport infrastructure programmes, and assesses the barriers to bringing forward residential growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and recommendations.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email:  paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the scale of the opportunity for Stockport’s residential market in light of the momentum generated by ongoing regeneration and transport infrastructure programmes, and assessing the barriers to bringing forward residential growth.  The detailed Town Centre Living Development Framework document was included as an annex to the report.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was important that it was recognised that there were existing communities living within the Town Centre, and that any development needed to be complementary and enhance the range of opportunities and amenities available to them.

·         The Town Centre Living Development Framework would provide an opportunity to unlock the potential of a number of vacant buildings and sites within the area.

·         The work of the joint Scrutiny Review Panel in respect of Town Centre Living was discussed with regard to the invaluable impact it had in guiding the development of the Framework.

·         It was stated that the creation of a town centre design guide had moved closer following the award of funding from the GMCA. 

·         The value of the Stockport Metroshuttle bus in providing links between key transport nodes and local amenities in the town centre was identified as being a significant asset by residents who were interviewed as part of the work of the Town Centre Living scrutiny review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.