Fletcher Street, Stockport
Artist’s impression of approved scheme at Fletcher Street. Credit: Our Studio
The transformation of a derelict town centre site bringing a new community of 245 new homes into the heart of Stockport.
For: Progressive Living and Picture This
With: AEW Architects, renaissance engineers, Re-form landscape architects
What is it : The transformation of a derelict town centre site bringing a new community of 245 new homes into the heart of Stockport.
Local planning authority: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
What we did: This dilapidated site had been in the Council’s sights for some time and was ripe for redevelopment.
Advising Progressive Living, we project managed the preparation of a detailed planning application for 245 new homes across two new, interconnected buildings.
With Picture This taking the building on after completion, it’s a scheme that will have community and sustainability at its heart, so the design needed to be up to scratch.
The challenge
The application site fell under two separate ownerships: the derelict Victoria House, now under Progressive Living’s ownership, and a former surface level car park, owned by the Council itself.
On top of this, the site straddled an impressive 6m level change, making it incredibly prominent within the town centre and in relation to neighbouring buildings, and requiring a significant retaining wall at the southern site boundary.
The site also sat in the setting of two conservation areas and a number of listed buildings. Rightly so, the Council requested that the scheme underwent the Places Matter Design Review Panel.
With significant site clearance works and engineering constraints, the viability on the site was understandably tight. We worked closely with the local planning authority and the developer’s viability advisors to reach agreement about financial contributions to ensure the scheme remained deliverable.
The solution
Progressive Homes and Picture This were both clear from the outset on the vision for the site: to create sustainable homes that enhance the local neighbourhood and create a vibrant new community for the people of Stockport.
The finished design puts people first, in many ways.
Led by AEW Architects, and drawing on guidance from the Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide, the scheme was designed to meet the Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building Standard. It overcomes significant level changes, makes best use of natural sunlight and prioritises quality shared public garden areas with a flexible community space at the heart of the scheme, plus community allotments.
All in all, the scheme delivers 12 town houses and 233 apartments across the two buildings, making a significant contribution to Stockport’s ambition to bring more people to live in the town centre.
Artist’s impression of approved scheme at Fletcher Street. Credit: Our Studio
The benefits
In this prominent position within the town centre, the site needed to do more than look good. It had to relate well to the street level, improve connectivity and accessibility, bring about improvements to the public realm and enhance a sense of place and community.
Together, and with the guidance of the Design Review Panel, the approved scheme did just that and, when completed and occupied, will be a key catalyst for town centre living.
Artist’s impression of approved scheme at Fletcher Street at night. Credit: Our Studio