THE future of the flagship Future Carrington development - which would see the creation of a new ‘village’ and one million sq ft of employment space - is to be decided tonight.

Planning chiefs at Trafford Council are hosting a special meeting to decide on whether to grant permission to developer HIMOR’s ambitious plans for the former Shell processing plant.

The application sites are off Manchester Road and Common Lane.

The outcome of the bumper proposal has eagerly been anticipated since plans were submitted in the summer of 2016, following a string of consultations.

The Future Carrington scheme, which forms part of a £100m revitalisation of Carrington Village, would 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, including a play areas.

The proposed residential development would consist of predominantly two and three bedroom homes, with around 73 four bedroom houses and a number of one bedroom apartments.

Nine new access roads from Manchester Road would be built to cater for the development.

Congestion is an ongoing issue in Carrington and if plans go ahead, developers 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.

A total of 40 buildings and structures would be demolished across the site to make way for the new ‘village’.

Proposed replacement facilities for Carrington Rugby Club also form part of the plans, with a new full size rugby pitch, training pitch with floodlights, clubhouse, bar and 22 space car park in the pipeline.

The number of houses was originally 900 but this has been reduced and plans to develop part of Carrington Business Park for housing have also been scrapped.

It is estimated that the landmark project will create 1,000 direct and 1,035 indirect jobs in the area.

If plans are approved, Trafford Council can expect a new homes bonus of £7.6m.

Trafford’s planning officers have made a ‘minded to grant’ recommendation.

A decision on whether permission will be granted will be decided at Trafford Town Hall on Thursday March 30.