PLANNING chiefs are set to make a decision on a £1billion housing and business development proposal earmarked for land near the Trafford Centre.

The proposed Trafford Waters scheme - situated between the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal and Trafford Boulevard / Old Barton Road in Urmston – will go before Trafford Council’s planning committee on Thursday October 13.
The bumper application would include up to 3,000 flats and 86,700sqm of commercial and office space, a 300-room hotel, 150-bed carehome and a primary school, catering for up to 420 pupils.  

According to the planning documents, there would be no affordable housing provision as it would not ‘viable’.  

The developer says more than 5,000 jobs would be created and £46.30million pumped back into the local economy from new households and employees.  A bridge would link Trafford Waters to the Trafford Centre.

When plans for the scheme were revealed, James Whittaker, development director at Peel Land & Property, said: “We have been working on the vision and masterplan for Trafford Waters for more than 15 years.

“It will be an exemplar, sustainable development that will create a space for a new community to live, work and play.

“The strong links with the intu Trafford Centre and Trafford Leisure Village and unrivalled transport connections, including the Trafford Park Metrolink extension, will make Trafford Waters the place to be.

“I am delighted that we are able to present plans which, if approved, will help address housing need in the area and provide new business and employment opportunities, all while regenerating and enhancing a prominent but underused site in a fantastic waterfront location.

“I am confident that Trafford Waters will be an asset to the entire region.”

So far, 39 letters of objection from the Trafford area have been logged against the application, with questions raised over the need for a new school, hotel and additional office space in the area. Nearby Kingsway Primary School has objected on congestion grounds and over concern that it would have an adverse impact on the school’s admissions.

Trafford-based Breathe Clean Air Group also objected due to pollution worries.

Two letters of support have been received, welcoming the redevelopment of a ‘run-down’ area.

Planning officers have made a recommendation to grant the application.

In the committee report, it states: “Officers consider that this development would make best use of this strategically important, vacant site. It would contribute towards addressing the identified housing shortfall in Trafford, during this plan period and beyond, and would provide a range of new jobs as well as expanded shopping opportunities and social infrastructure designed to meet the needs of the TW population.

"Subject to compliance with the conditions outlined within this report, TW is considered to be a sustainable development that creates a mixed and balanced community within it.”