being suitable for everyone, will particularly benefit our ageing population, families with children, and anyone that may live with temporary or permanent disabilities or mobility impairments. Housing that is specifically for older people or other specialist accommodation will also be expected to have regard to policy HOM 7: Housing for older people and specialist accommodation.
- There may be some sites where specific circumstances mean that it is not possible to meet the full requirements of M4(2) and M4(3) standards. For example, this may be where there are topography constraints, the site is within a flood zone, or step-free access to the dwelling cannot be achieved. In these circumstances, developers will be expected to demonstrate that innovative approaches to meeting the policy requirements have been fully explored. Exemption from the requirements will only be considered where it has been robustly evidenced that the requisite number of units cannot be delivered within the scheme.
- Development on garden land has historically been a contributor to housing supply in Stockport and forms part of the small sites allowance which is part of the assessed future supply identified in HOM 1. However, it is important that proposals do not cause harm to the local area or neighbouring properties whilst making effective use of land, as expected under chapter 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework. Where the garden/land is in a Conservation Area, or the setting of a designated heritage asset, or the dwelling itself is a designated heritage asset, the criteria for determining applications for new residential development on private gardens and residential extensions need to be cross referenced with heritage asset policies and requirements.
ENV 16: Taller buildings
- Taller buildings can be an effective way to optimise the density of development and help to address housing need. However, taller buildings must be appropriate to their location and respond sensitively and innovatively to townscape character.
- Taller buildings are most likely to be suitable in the Town Centre Living Area (as shown on the policies map), where they accord with relevant policies, design codes, masterplans or guidance and conserve and enhance the significance of heritage assets.
- Developments located in the areas covered by the Stockport Character and Urban Density Study must have regard to the design guidance set out within the study (or any guidance which may accompany or supersede it).
- All applications for taller buildings must meet the following criteria: