PLANS for a £7.7m high-quality housing development with multi-use community centre in Bowdon have edged closer after council chiefs approved plans to progress the scheme.

The borough council’s executive met on Tuesday afternoon after their previous meeting was cancelled due to technical difficulties.

Councillors discussed the future of the Jubilee Centre to advance the development and create a development management, or delivery partner, for the re-provision of the dilapidated centre.

An executive report noted that "surplus council land has been sold with the proceeds used to support new capital investment or used to repay debts".

The development site is located in the centre of Bowdon and is situated behind The Griffin and The Stamford Road public houses.

Council chiefs say it ‘presents an exciting opportunity’ to introduce a high quality residential-led development.

Cllr James Wright, executive member for housing and regeneration, presenting the report, said: “This is for a new and improved multi-function community facility and high-quality residential development which will include a contribution to the council’s affordable housing targets in not just one of the most unaffordable parts of Trafford but one of the most unaffordable parts of the UK.

“The scheme is expected to bring a return of approximately £1.7m to the council post-Covid, where any return to an authority has to be welcomed.

“Not just is this is an exciting opportunity to regenerate a site that is not fit for purpose.”

In order to be developed, groups using the centre will relocate to the Cinnamon Club as the ‘centre is currently in a state of disrepair’.

Cllr Wright added that contract procurement will take place in July 2021 and work could commence after that if planning approval is received.

The committee voted unanimously to move forward with the scheme.