THE flagship multi-million pound Future Carrington development - which would see the creation of a new ‘village’ and one million sq ft of employment space – has been given the green light.
Permission was granted by planning chiefs at a special meeting at Trafford Town Hall on April 13.
The scheme, which forms part of a £100m revitalisation of Carrington Village by developers HIMOR, will see 725 new homes being built, as well as 46,450 sq.m of business space, 929 sq.m of retail and health facilities, and public open space.
Although there are no plans for a new school within the application, it is highlighted that 1,560 new homes in Carrington would trigger the requirement for a primary. The current secondary schools 'have the capacity'.
An artist's impression of how Future Carrington would look
The planning committee considered the hybrid application at the deferred meeting, which lasted more than four hours.
And infrastructure has been the big sticking point. Property giants Peel, who are behind the £1billion Trafford Waters development, objected to the Manchester Road scheme, accusing the council of “differential treatment”.
They criticised planning officers for not preventing residents from moving in before Peel’s Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme (WGIS) – which would ease congestion between Port of Salford and the Trafford Centre - is completed.
But officers dismissed Peel’s concerns, saying Future Carrington would not have a severe impact on the road network, even if WGIS did not come to fruition.
HIMOR have committed to making improvements to existing road junctions, including Manchester Road/Flixton Road/Isherwood Road; Carrington Lane/ Carrington Spur/Banky Lane; and Manchester Road/Common Lane.
But some think this is not enough.
A petition, signed by 217 villagers, was submitted against the application.
An artist's impression of how Future Carrington would look
It read: “Carrington cannot allow the huge increase of cars on the road and no amount of ‘tweaking’ of the lights at the Mile Road (Flixton Road) will alleviate the issue. It seems simple to the residents of Carrington, no alternative road access means no development.”
At Thursday’s meeting, Cllr Karina Carter spoke on behalf of residents, saying Manchester Road was a ‘nightmare’ and that people were sceptical of junction improvements, as costly roadworks at Flixton Road had “not made anything better”.
She also pointed out a new A1 road wasn’t included as part of the plans, despite coming up in previous discussions with officers. A new A1 link road to and through the Carrington site has been submitted to the Department for Transport but was not required as mitigation.
There was also objection to the application from neighbouring gas supplier company Air Products, which has been based in Carrington since the 1960s.
The plant runs 24 hours, 365 days a year and the company is worried about noise complaints from Future Carrington residents living close to the site, particularly during the ‘venting’ process.
An artist's impression of how Future Carrington would look
“It has been likened to the sound of a jet engine,” said Peter Tooher, on behalf of Air Products.
“A jet engine close to houses, on opposite side of a rugby pitch? It is without a doubt unacceptable.”
But Trafford’s environment officers said the ‘venting’ has resulted in only a small number of complaints in the past and the frequency is low.
“Carrington is one of the largest under used assets in Greater Manchester,” said David Rolinson, who spoke on behalf of developers HIMOR at the special planning meeting.
“This is HIMOR’s flagship scheme, they are here for the long term and this is their legacy.”
The debate ensued, and although the application was broadly welcomed, concerns about congestion, noise, and the ‘inadequacy’ of the rugby club was high on the agenda.
“It’s exciting, something needs to be done and you can’t argue with the benefits,” said Cllr Nathan Evans.
“But the rugby club is wholly inadequate.”
Carrington Rugby Club would be relocated to the site, with a 100-person limit and just 22 spaces for cars.
“700 odd houses are not to be sniffed at,” said Cllr Daniel Bunting.
Cllr Alexamder Wright said there are many benefits to the development.
"It is exciting that we can create a new community in Carrington, which has undoubtedly been neglected for many years," he added.
"It is a strategic location, it will help provide homes and job opportunities and will benefit the local population."
The development will generate up to 1,800 jobs.
“Do we want more houses in Trafford? Yes,” said Cllr Michael Whetton.
“Do we need to redevelop Carrington? Of course. Do I still have concerns? Yes, but I believe these can be resolved.”
An aerial view of Carrington
The application was subsequently passed. The residential scheme will take place in six stages, and delivered over 11 years, between 2017 and 2028.
Five per cent of homes will be affordable housing – ‘starter homes’ sold at 20 per cent below full market value.
A second application, to demolish farm buildings on Common Lane and replace them with industrial buildings and a pumping station, was also passed at the meeting.
There had been concerns from Partington Parish Council that residents perceive the development as ‘fracking through the back door’ but this was rubbished by the council.
The development of a green field site over a ‘more suitable’ brown field site was also cited as an issue.
A vote for refusal was turned down and the application was subsequently passed.
Work is expected to begin on Future Carrington by the end of the year.
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