Plans to transform the former Greater Manchester Police headquarters in Trafford into a new mixed-use neighbourhood featuring around 1,200 homes have moved forward, as developers launch a second round of public consultation.
joint venture between FEC, Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has unveiled a refined masterplan for the redevelopment of Chester House, incorporating feedback from local residents and businesses gathered during the first consultation in November last year.
The redefined plans will diverse mix of approximately 1,200 new sustainable homes, with 25% designated as affordable housing
The site will include a hotel with up to 255 bedrooms as well around 25,000 sq ft of commercial space for cafés, bars and community services
More than 700 cycle parking spaces, including bike rental facilities and extensive public realm improvements, including a new linear public park that will connect the wider community, opening the site up to the public for the first time in over 40 years
It will be largely car-free neighbourhood with around 100 parking spaces (including dedicated disabled parking bays), supported by an on-site car club, electric vehicle charging and secure cycle parking and will include Sustainable on-site generation of low-carbon heat to serve the development and the wider Civic Quarter
The proposals also retain and repurpose important heritage features on the site. Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall will be carefully restored and transformed into a leisure space, while historic gateposts from the former Henshaw’s School for the Blind will be preserved within the public realm.
Demolition is expected to begin later this month as the project progresses towards a planning application submission to Trafford Council this summer.
The development is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs during the build phase and around 190 permanent roles once complete, with a Trafford-first approach prioritising local contractors, suppliers and workers.
