PLANNING chiefs have given the go ahead to the £1billion ‘new neighbourhood’ scheme Trafford Waters.

The proposed Trafford Waters scheme - situated between the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal and the Trafford Centre – was approved at Trafford Council’s planning committee tonight, Thursday October 13.

The bumper application includes up to 3,000 flats and 86,700sqm of commercial and office space, a 300-room hotel, 150-bed care home, a primary school, catering for up to 420 pupils and 9,100sqm of informal recreational space. A health centre could also be on the cards.

According to developers Peel, the scheme will create 5,000 jobs and an estimated £46.30million would be pumped back into the local economy from new households and employees.

The scheme would be delivered in six phases over 15-20 years. Layout, scale, appearance and landscaping will be subject to further planning applications.

At last night’s meeting, resident James Crowley and Cllr Michael Cornes spoke against the application and Sheila Wright and James Whittaker, from applicant Peel Holdings, Annabel Partridge, of NJL Consulting, and Guy Pearson, and IBI architect Guy Pearson, all spoke in favour.

James Crowley said the community were ‘disenfranchised’ when it came to previous Peel schemes in the area, developments which put an ‘unacceptable demand’ on local infrastructure and services.

“The greatest beneficiaries must be the citizens of this borough rather than investors,” he said.

He criticised the decision to favour flats over family homes, the potential strain on the highways and the risk to air quality. Lack of affordable homes was also an issue. Affordable housing provision was not deemed ‘viable’ but developers agreed to reassess as scheme viability each time an application is submitted for the development.

Cllr Cornes raised concerns of residents of his Davyhulme East ward.

“The overwhelming majority see this as another example of Peel making more money out of the area without regard for the people who live here,” he said.

He also said that the area was not child or family friendly and that its proximity to Event City, Manchester United, and the Trafford Centre would create the ‘perfect storm’.

“No ambulance could get around this area, it is landlocked,” he said. Speaking in support of the application, Sheila Wright said Trafford Waters had the ‘potential to transform the lives of people in Trafford’.

Architect Guy Pearson added: “It is a fantastic site and must be developed to its full potential.”

Annabel Partridge highlighted Peel’s commitment to improving the road network. Peel’s Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme includes linking the A57 in Salford with Trafford Park via a bridge over the canal and improvements to junctions 10 and 11 of the M60 and Bridgewater Circle on Trafford Boulevard.

She also highlighted £3million in council tax a year would arise from the development getting the go-ahead.

After listening to the representations, Cllr Laurence Walsh opened the debate. “Affordable housing is still on the agenda as it becomes more profitable,” said Cllr Walsh.

“People want to live in this location, people love to go to the Trafford Centre and love that area of the borough.”

Cllr Nathan Evans said he was pleased the ‘long neglected’ land was going to contribute to much needed new homes.

“I have seen some objections comparing it to Hulme of the 60s and 70s but it is a different sort of housing,” he added.

“Places likes Ancoats and Media City – maybe that is where the new generation need to live.”

Cllr Dolores O’Sullivan said: “It is a massive development and is bringing employment and investment into the area. However, I have serious concerns over traffic and pollution.”

Cllr O’Sullivan said she would have hoped the infrastructure was in place before construction commenced to judge ‘real time’ traffic volume and raised concerns over possible structural damage to the nearby Grade I listed All Saints Church.

“It would be a shame if anything were to happen to it,” she said. “I feel it is overdevelopment and will impact on the services such as the hospital and also the health of residents in the area.”

Cllr Ejaz Malik said he has ‘full faith’ in Peel to produce a wonderful development, based on their past schemes.

Before going to a vote, chair Cllr Vivienne Ward said: “Trafford is a victim of its own success – people want to live here, want to work here, want their children educated here, want recreation here. For many years we have been starved of Metrolink and I am delighted it is now coming to the Trafford Centre.”

She added: “The developer and Trafford are going to work hand in hand and I am happy everything that is going to be discussed will be in partnership with Trafford.”

After a lengthy debate, councillors unanimously approved the application.