A LEADING London police officer for community and religious integration came up from the capital to see Old Trafford’s multi-million pound Limelight hub.

Commander Mak Chishty, one of the Metropolitan Police Service's most senior officers, visited the site of the new £20m health and well-being community hub in Shrewsbury Street this week as part of a fact-finding mission.

The Trafford Housing Trust development, when it officially opens later this year, will offer an “integrated approach” to health and wellbeing services, education and employment resources, leisure and social activities, and the provision of advice and support.

Facilities hosted by Limelight will include a new GP surgery and pharmacy, library, café, restaurant and hairdressers.

The scheme will also boast 81 extra care residential apartments and amenities for the elderly, as well as a nursery and a number of services aimed at families and young people.

Commander Chishty met Matthew Gardiner met with a number of faith and community leaders at the neighbouring St Bride’s Church on March 6 to discuss the new development. Commander Chishty also shared his insights into tackling social, cultural and religious divisions in London.

Commander Chishty said: “I could tell as soon as we set foot on the site that Limelight is not going to be just another civic building badged as a ‘community centre’, and that it has been designed to be a fully integrated and inclusive space. Further, developments like this, which put a sense of place, belonging and neighbourliness at its heart, are one of the most effective ways to ensure community cohesion.

“I will be sharing my observations with colleagues and partners in London, including those from government, as I think we could all learn something from the Trust’s innovative and bold approach to the Limelight concept and the way it looks to help breakdown social, cultural and religious divisions by bringing people together.”

Matthew Gardiner, Trafford Housing Trust’s chief executive, said: “It was a pleasure to be able to share with Commander Chishty the incredible work and vision that underpins the Limelight development. It was clear that he immediately understood what we are trying to do in terms of creating a place that can be accessed, used and enjoyed by the whole community, and also why such a cross-cultural and inter-generational resource helps to strengthen and unite communities.”

Limelight is set to be opened and fully operational by autumn 2017.