The owner of an abandoned building next to the town hall is demolishing it at last after it was fined twice for the sorry state of the site.

Trafford Council ordered Mastcraft Ltd to raze or to restore Charlton House using a notice under the Town and Country Planning Act.

This was in 2020 but the authorities said the owner of the abandoned building on Chester Road took no action. It was fined twice for non-compliance with the notice.

Recently, as the prospect of another prosecution loomed, Mastcraft Ltd looked to take action and it is demolishing it at last it over the course of the next few weeks.

The land is in line for redevelopment as a part of the Civic Quarter Area Action Plan, which is an action plan adopted around a year ago for the delivery of thousands of homes and a number of other facilities in the area around the town hall.

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Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: "The fact Charlton House is being demolished is great news and I thank all our officers for their hard work in achieving this result. 

"This building is in a key position next to the town hall and both Old Trafford stadiums but it has been left standing in a disgraceful state for many years.

"We will not stand by and allow buildings to be left in this condition in our borough. The council will continue to take court action against those owners who fail to ensure their buildings are safe and in good condition. 

"I look forward to the redevelopment of the site as a part of the Civic Quarter Area Action Plan."
 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.