Chapter 8 - Employment

Introduction

8.1 The future well-being and prosperity of the Borough and its residents, and the degree of success the Council may achieve in fulfilling the basic aims set out in the Themes of the Plan, will depend very much upon the health, strength and vitality of the local economy.

8.2 Recent years have seen considerable and fundamental changes in the quantity and range of economic activity within the Borough. Industrial and commercial businesses of all types have had to adapt to rapidly changing technological, economic, demographic and social circumstances.

8.3 The traditional heavy manufacturing industry base of the local economy has declined greatly in significance, being substantially replaced by new lighter/ high technology, commercial office, warehousing/distribution and service types of business.

8.4 In common with other parts of Greater Manchester and the North West region as a whole, however, the local Trafford economy, though more prosperous than most that it is, has struggled to maintain sufficient jobs to productively employ its population. Recent years, however, have seen something of a revival as the newer types of business activity have grown and prospered and replaced the vast majority of the jobs lost through the contraction of the older traditional manufacturing sector.

8.5 This revival of fortunes has lead to the Borough regaining its position as an important source of jobs for residents of other parts of Greater Manchester and surrounding area. Trafford Park in particular does much to support the residents of the inner city areas of Salford and Manchester. The major concentrations of commercial office premises at Trafford Bar and around Sale and Altrincham town centres provide attractive and convenient locations for major companies accessible to employees from the wider conurbation.

8.6 The fundamental aim of the Policies and Proposals of this Chapter of the Plan is to facilitate the continued modernisation and revival of industrial and commercial activity in the Borough so that it can maintain its significant contribution to the revitalisation and growth of the economy of the whole of the Greater Manchester sub-region.

General Justification for the Policies and Proposals of the Employment Chapter

8.7 The Council has sought over the years to give priority in planning and promotion to the creation of jobs to meet the needs of Trafford's residents and to maintain the Borough's position as a net provider of jobs to other parts of the conurbation. Over the Plan period the Council intends to continue to pursue this objective and seek to secure modern forms of activity to strengthen the local economy and sustain employment into the next century.

8.8 The strategy to achieve this objective embodied within this Plan seeks to build upon the very many strategic assets the Borough and immediately surrounding areas of Greater Manchester possess, and to: -

  • Modernise and consolidate what remains of the established industrial base of the economy;
  • Promote the upgrading and continued expansion of the commercial office sector;
  • Promote further diversification by making provision for the growth of modern high technology industries, and,
  • Capitalise upon opportunities for the development of tourism, recreation and leisure activities.

8.9 The strategy is geared to supporting the overall aim of sustainable urban within the conurbation as expressed in the Greater Manchester Strategic Planning Framework and in Regional Planning Guidance for the North West. It seeks to: -

  • Make the most of the available instruments of regeneration (Single Regeneration Budget/Capital Challenge funds, Derelict Land Grant etc);
  • Build upon the success and growth of the airport and promote Manchester as an international centre of excellence;
  • Tackle dereliction and remove obstacles to business investment, and,
  • Identify a comprehensive range of development sites in strategic locations to suit the needs of local business and create opportunities for new activities.

8.10 The Policies and Proposals for employment put forward in this Chapter look to provide a measured contribution to the sustainable urban and economic regeneration objective of the Greater Manchester authorities and the North West Regional Assembly and Development Agency. They seek to focus as a priority upon the regeneration of the Pomona and Trafford Park areas lying within the conurbation core and upon the Manchester Ship Canal corridor area to the west of the core in the Carrington/Partington area. They also seek to encourage (in conjunction with the Policies and Proposals of the Shopping Chapter) the regeneration of the Borough’s established town centres and the improvement and upgrading of the Broadheath employment area in the south of the Borough. These priorities are spelled out in Area Based Policies Chapter of the Plan (Policies A1 and A2).

8.11 Policies and Proposals for encouraging the development of tourism activity within the Borough are in part set out in this Chapter and in selected Proposals contained within the Environment, Open Space and Countryside Chapters.

8.12 Policies and Proposals relating to land reclamation and environmental improvement are contained within the Environment Chapter.

PART I PLAN POLICIES

Part I Policy E1 – Overall Supply of Land for Development

The Council will make available sufficient quantity and choice of land in appropriate locations to meet the expected demands of commerce and industry.

Part I Policy E2 – Land for General Industrial Development

The Council will seek to concentrate major manufacturing and warehousing developments in the established major industrial areas of Trafford Park, Carrington and Broadheath and ensure also that adequate provision for small local manufacturing, warehousing and service industries is made in these and the other established small industrial areas scattered throughout the Borough.

Part I Policy E3 – Land for Commercial Office Development

The Council will seek to concentrate commercial office development within or immediately adjoining Trafford's four established town centres at Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston, and at Trafford Bar, Old Trafford and at Pomona, Wharfside and Trafford Quays, Trafford Park.

Part I Policy E4 – Land for New Technology Industry and Business Park Use

The Council will normally permit the development of a wide range of modern science based high technology and business park uses in a variety of locations within the built up area, particularly within those parts of the established industrial areas which have, or are readily capable of being provided with: -

  • Direct or ready access to the existing or programmed trunk or primary route network;
  • Direct or ready access to public transport facilities;
  • A good quality environment and setting.

Proposals for development in locations outside the built up area will not normally be permitted unless, in addition to satisfying criteria (i) to (iii) above,

  • No site of suitable size, type or quality is available within the built up area of Greater Manchester;
  • The proposal is of an exceptionally high quality of design and specification for an occupier or occupiers of national or international importance, whose occupation of the building would give rise to substantial new employment opportunities that would otherwise be lost to Greater Manchester.

Part I Policy E5 – Hazardous and Bad Neighbour Industries

The Council will not normally permit the development of hazardous or bad neighbour industries in the Borough where they would: -

  • Significantly increase the risk for residents and members of the public;
  • Seriously hinder the future development of the main industrial and commercial areas of the Borough or the prospects of securing urban regeneration elsewhere;
  • Prejudice the development or use of land allocated for other uses in this Plan;
  • Bring about a significant deterioration in the quality of the environment of surrounding areas.

Part I Policy E6 – Tourism Related Development

The Council will encourage and support further tourism related developments that highlight and enhance the historic and cultural heritage of the Borough in attractive and accessible locations.

In determining the acceptability of all new development proposals put forward, the Council will need to be satisfied that they: -

  • Can be satisfactorily accommodated on the proposed development site;
  • Do not adversely affect the environment and amenity of adjoining areas;
  • Have direct or ready access to public transport facilities and
  • Do not adversely affect the revitalisation and regeneration of the Priority Regeneration Areas listed in Policy A1.

Within the upper reaches of the Manchester Ship Canal, the Council will in particular encourage and support developments that enhance the emerging tourism destination within the Wharfside Strategic Area of Trafford Park (see Proposal TP5) especially where they encourage linkages between the Imperial War Museum-North, the Manchester United Football Club Stadium and Museum developments, the Lowry and other facilities at Salford Quays in Salford and the Pomona Strategic Development Area (Proposal TP2). The range of developments acceptable to the Council in this area will include: -

  • Visitor attractions that complement the existing facilities;
  • Visitor accommodation;
  • Facilities and infrastructure that assist in providing information to tourists;
  • Further environmental and public access improvements around the tourism attractions and related facilities that are already in place.

Part II Proposal E7 – Main Industrial Areas

Within the areas identified on the Proposals Map the Council will permit development for business, industry, storage/distribution (B1, B2 & B8 Use Classes) and similar appropriate uses where such proposals: -

  • Do not conflict with the provisions of Policy E5;
  • Can be satisfactorily integrated with existing or planned development nearby;
  • Can be satisfactorily accessed and serviced from existing or programmed roads, and,
  • Are or can be made accessible to all prospective occupants and users by public bus and/or rail transport, cycling and walking as well as by motorised traffic, (see Proposal T6).

Within the Broadheath industrial area the Council will permit development for other uses only where they are of a modest nature and would not compromise its primary function. Within the Carrington industrial area other uses will only be permitted within the range specified in Proposal E15. Within the Trafford Park industrial area other uses will only be permitted within the range specified by Proposals TP1 to TP11 inclusive.

Justification

1. These industrial areas are long established and have, or are best capable of developing, the necessary infrastructure to attract and support a wide range of industrial activity. They provide convenient and attractive locations for business, industry, storage/distribution and similar appropriate uses of all types and sizes. Trafford Park and Carrington in particular have the scope and have or are planned to have adequate facilities to accommodate a broad range and scale of developments. Broadheath and the other smaller industrial areas provide convenient and attractive alternative locations mainly suitable for small and medium sized industrial businesses that do not wish or cannot afford to operate from the larger industrial areas.

2. Transport Chapter Proposal T6 seeks to ensure that developments make proper provision for access by all modes of travel and that they do not compromise the proper functioning of the highway network.

3. “Similar appropriate uses" are those which are of a “sui generis" nature having characteristics reasonably comparable with uses within Classes B1, B2 and B8 of the Use Classes Order, i.e. business, industry, storage/distribution uses.

Part II Proposal E8 – Development Outside Main Industrial Areas

Outside the main industrial areas identified in Proposal E7 the Council will permit development for business, industry, storage/distribution and similar appropriate uses required in connection with the modernisation or expansion of an established business provided that such proposals can: -

  • Be satisfactorily accommodated on the site without undue harm or inconvenience to the occupiers of surrounding property;
  • Maintain or ensure provision of adequate access, car parking and service arrangements.

The Council will also permit the redevelopment of redundant employment sites within the urban area for business, industry, storage/distribution and similar appropriate uses, where the Council can be satisfied, in addition to the criteria in the preceding paragraph, that the proposal will not conflict with provisions (i), (iii), and (iv) of Policy E5 and that the site is neither required nor more suitable for some other use.

Where the development of a wholly new industrial enterprise is proposed on land within the urban area not previously in business, industry, storage/distribution and similar appropriate use, the Council will only permit development where: -

  • The site is not allocated for some other use in this Plan;
  • No suitable alternative sites within the industrial areas identified in Proposal E7 can be made available in a reasonable time to accommodate the development;
  • The site can be satisfactorily accessed and serviced from existing or programmed roads;
  • The site is or can be made accessible to all prospective occupants and users by public bus and/or rail transport, cycling and walking as well as by motorised traffic, and (see Proposal T6)
  • A substantial new employment opportunity will be created.

Justification

1. All businesses whether in or outside the main industrial areas contribute to the health of the local economy. They need, with adequate safeguards for occupiers of surrounding property, to be able to invest to improve or develop their activities to continue to trade effectively and competitively and provide jobs for local people. The Council will seek to accommodate investment in improvements of this type wherever practicable.

2. Where however the redevelopment of a redundant non-conforming industrial use is proposed the Council will wish, in the interests of the proper planning of the area, to ensure as far as possible that any such proposal does not create, perpetuate or exacerbate any harm or nuisance to the occupiers of surrounding property.

3. As a substantial amount of land for new development is allocated for employment use within this Plan the Council consider that the development of new businesses in other locations will not be justified other than in exceptional circumstances as outlined in this Proposal and in Proposal E9.

4. Transport Chapter Proposal T6 seeks to ensure that developments make proper provision for access by all modes of travel and that they do not compromise the proper functioning of the highway network.

5. The circumstances in which the redevelopment of redundant employment development sites for housing use would be appropriate are set out in Proposal H6.

“Similar appropriate uses” are those that are of a “sui generis” nature having characteristics reasonably comparable with uses within Classes B1, B2 and B8 of the Use Classes Order.

Part II Proposal E9 – Small Industrial/Nursery Units

The Council will encourage the provision of small industrial or nursery units for small businesses on sites within the employment areas identified in Proposal E7 or on other small urban sites provided that: -

  • The development will not have a significantly deleterious effect on the amenity of residents of adjoining property;
  • The site can be adequately accessed and serviced from existing roads;
  • Development will not result in the loss of land used or allocated for some use which meets a local need and cannot easily be accommodated within a reasonable distance elsewhere.

Justification

Small businesses have a valuable role to play in a healthy local economy. The Council recognises the important contribution that this type of activity does and can make to the economy of the area and wishes to play its full part in seeking to ensure that a stock of suitable property is available to cater for them.

Part II Proposal E10 – Main Office Development Areas

When determining planning applications for new office development within the Main Office Development Areas indicated on the Proposals Map, the Council will need to be satisfied that any proposal can: -

  • Be satisfactorily accommodated on the site without undue harm or inconvenience to the occupiers of surrounding property;
  • Ensure the provision of adequate access, car parking and service arrangements.

When determining planning applications for the change of use or redevelopment of redundant office buildings to residential or some other use, the Council will need to be satisfied that the following criteria are met: -

  • The building is proving difficult to let for office use;
  • There is an adequate supply of office floor-space remaining in the vicinity of the proposed development to meet the anticipated demand for office accommodation;
  • The development will not have a significantly detrimental effect on the amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties nor of the future residential occupiers;
  • The site can be adequately accessed from existing roads and can be satisfactorily integrated with existing or planned development, and,
  • The development does not conflict with the provisions of Proposals D1 and D2.

Justification

1. Altrincham, Sale and Trafford Bar are well established as the main, commercial office development centres. The Council has been committed to office development in these areas for a considerable amount of time. Concentration of new development in these substantial commercial centres will benefit the local economy and minimise any adverse environmental effects on surrounding property that may arise from this relatively intensive and potentially intrusive, form of development.

2. The Council recognises that the conversion of redundant office blocks to residential use, with appropriate amenity safeguards, could make an important contribution to the provision of new homes on brown-field sites within the urban area. The criteria for assessing the suitability of conversion proposals are intended to protect the environment and amenity of the occupants both of the converted and adjoining buildings in a locality. They are also intended to ensure that any buildings proposed for conversion are no longer lettable for office use and that the local office accommodation market would not be adversely affected by the loss.

3. For the purposes of this Proposal the Council considers that: -

The term “vicinity” should be defined as “within the Office Zone in question”.

An “adequate supply of office floorspace” should be defined as “a supply of available/committed office space in the Office Zone in question, sufficient to allow the take-up of floor-space to continue at a rate recent take-up rates/current anticipated market conditions can bear.

Part II Proposal E11 – Development Outside Main Office Development Areas

Outside the Main Office Development Areas indicated in Proposal E10, office development will normally be permitted on sites: -

-Within or adjoining other town and district shopping centres identified on the Proposals Map, or,

-Within the main employment areas identified in Proposal E7, or,

-On other land currently or formerly in industrial or commercial use, which has ready access to the trunk and primary road network and to Metrolink or other railway stations, where such proposals: -

  • Do not conflict with any other Policies or Proposals of this Plan and can be satisfactorily integrated with existing or planned development;
  • Are of a scale and design appropriate to the area in which they are located, and,
  • Can be satisfactorily accommodated on the proposed site without undue harm or nuisance to the occupiers of surrounding property.

Proposals for development on sites within areas primarily in residential use will also be considered in the light of criteria (i) to (iii) above.

Justification

The restriction of all office development to the identified office areas would be over rigid. Certain locations outside the designated areas would give rise to few problems and would therefore be acceptable in principle. Such flexibility would allow the development of a greater range of property to suit the needs of a wider variety of types of business to the general benefit of the local economy.

Part II Proposal E12 – Office Conversions

Within the Main Office Development Areas, the other town and district shopping centres and the main industrial areas identified on the Proposals Map, the Council will normally permit conversion of buildings or parts of buildings to provide new office accommodation.

Proposals for converting buildings or parts of buildings outside these areas will be considered on their merits with particular regard being given to: -

  • The degree of intensification of use likely to arise from the proposed use;
  • The quality and condition of the property;
  • The impact of the proposal on the character and environment of the surrounding area;
  • The suitability of the property for continued occupation by the existing use.

Justification

At any given time there are always within the specified areas buildings that have fallen into disrepair or are unoccupied because they are no longer suitable for their original intended use. Conversion of these buildings to office use can be an acceptable and economic alternative to demolition. The return of redundant property to productive commercial use can provide a useful supplement to the overall supply of office accommodation, improve the quality of the local environment and contribute to urban regeneration.

Part II Proposal E13 – Strategic Development Sites

The Council proposes to retain the following committed development sites to ensure a supply of high quality strategic employment opportunities over the Plan period: -

Major   High Amenity Site

RS1   – Davenport Green, Hale (see Proposal E13)

Sub-Regional   Site

SR1   – Electric Park, Trafford Park (see Proposal TP7)

Local   Sites

LS1   – Thomson Road, Trafford Park (see Proposal TP8)
  LS2 – Hanover Road/Dairyhouse Lane, Broadheath
  LS3 – Moss Lane, Altrincham (see Proposal H3)

The Council proposes allocating the following sites for development to ensure a supply of high quality strategic employment opportunities over the Plan period: -

Sub-Regional   Sites

SR2   – Wharfside, Trafford Park (see Proposal TP5)
  SR3 – Pomona (see Proposals TP2 and H3)
  SR4 – Manchester Road, Carrington

Local   Site

LS4   – Chester Road/Newton Street, Stretford (see Proposal S8)

The Council will also safeguard the following office and business park sites during the Plan period from development that would compromise their primary strategic function.

Developed   Sites

DS1   – Sale Business Park, Old Hall Road, Sale
  DS2 – Cornbrook Business Park, Chester Road, Old Trafford

Except in the case of the Major High Amenity Site at Davenport Green, extensions to, and changes of use of, buildings on the above sites will be permitted provided that such development conforms with the provisions of Proposal D1, D2 and D4 and does not adversely affect the strategic nature and quality of the site in question.

When considering new development proposals on these sites, the Council will require to be satisfied that they will be adequately served by a sustainable integrated transport network accessible by all sectors of the community (see Proposal T6).

Justification

1. These sites will provide attractive development opportunities for a wide range of industrial, commercial and service activities, including those involved in modern high technology businesses. They will complement the development opportunities available within established industrial and commercial areas, and identified in Proposal E14, and assist the diversification and regeneration of the local and Greater Manchester economy.

2. When considering proposals for development within the above sites, the Council will, where appropriate, seek to protect established viable businesses.

3. Full details of the type of development proposed on the regionally significant development site RS1 is set out separately in Proposal E14.

4. Site SR1 has the benefit of planning permission for warehousing/distribution use and is located adjacent to the World Freight Centre in Trafford Park, Site LS1 has the benefit of planning permission for industrial/warehousing development on the major part of the site and has the benefit of a wharf-side location. Site LS2, located within the Main Industrial Area of Broadheath has the benefit of planning permission for business park development.

5. Site LS3 has the benefit of a Council resolution to grant planning permission for a mixed development of B1 business units and housing on the major part of the site (see Proposal H3).

6. Site SR2 occupies a large area at the eastern end of the Trafford Park Main Industrial Area and is made up of a number of individual parcels of development land, most of which have already been developed or have planning permission for development for prestige business uses. The area has the benefit of a waterside location and ready access to existing and planned improvements to the public transport infrastructure (see Proposal T11).

7. Site SR3, in Proposals TP2 and H3, has been identified as a suitable site for mixed commercial and residential development, It has the benefit of a water-side location and ready access to the Altrincham-Bury and Cornbrook-Eccles Metrolink lines. It adjoins the Castlefield-St. Georges area within Manchester that has been/is being developed with a similar mix of uses.

8. Site SR4 lies within the Carrington Regeneration Area (see Proposal E15) and offers an opportunity to extend the successful established Carrington Business Park development.

9. Site LS4, as indicated in Proposal S7, has been identified by the Council as a suitable development site for business use that would augment the retail and commercial functions of the town centre. It has the benefit of ready access to the proposed A56 Quality Bus Corridor (see Proposal T11) and the Altrincham-Bury Metrolink line. It is also located adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal and the Stretford-Sale Linear Park proposal described in Proposal OSR6.

10. Sites DS1 and DS2 (see also Proposal TP4) have recently been developed for high quality office and business park uses respectively. The Council considers it important to safeguard these two prestigious and strategic employment locations from inappropriate development.

11. The development of some or all of these sites may be implemented in phases.

Part II Proposal E14 – Major High Amenity Site – Davenport Green

The Council will permit the development of a strategic high amenity employment site on 36.4 Ha (90 acres) of land within a 135.6 Ha (335 acre) estate at Davenport Green, Hale (both areas of land being as defined on the Proposals Map) provided that: -

  • The development is restricted solely to use for the following activities within Class B1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987: -

- High quality, science based/high technology industry;

- Research and development activities;

- Headquarters office activities;

  • The occupation of the buildings is at all times restricted by legal agreement to companies of national or international importance whose occupation of the scheme would give rise to substantial new employment activities which would otherwise be lost to Greater Manchester;
  • All elements of the development (including the concurrent provision of the Rural Park) comply with the Planning Brief forming Appendix G to the plan, and,
  • It can be demonstrated (by means of a detailed Traffic Impact Assessment as provided for in Appendix G to the Plan) that the development would not: -

a) Have an adverse impact on the efficient functioning of the M56;

b) Prevent the free operation of the approach roads to Manchester Airport in a manner that would prejudice the operation or permitted expansion of the Airport;

c) Have a harmful effect on conditions on other local roads.

The 36.4 Ha of land comprising the development area is excluded from the Green Belt, but Green Belt policies will be strictly applied except in the case of planning applications complying with this Proposal.

Justification

1. Opportunities across the conurbation and indeed across the region for the development of high quality, prestige sites for modern, major international headquarter business activities are very limited. This site presents a very significant opportunity to provide for just such a form of development that would bring great benefit to the Greater Manchester and the regional economy. Its location in close proximity to Manchester Airport gives the site unique attraction and advantage.

2. Major companies serving national and international markets are able to choose between a variety of locations in the UK and continental Europe. Greater Manchester and the North West lack sites that are capable of attracting the headquarters, research and development and related facilities of such companies. The region needs a truly exceptional site that will offset some of the disadvantages of the North West, namely its poor image and its peripheral location to the economic core of Europe. This need has been recognised by the Secretary of State in his Regional Planning Guidance and by the Regional Economic Development Strategy prepared by the North West Regional Association. A key feature of a competitive site is ready availability including in planning terms; hence the need for strategic sites including Davenport Green to be provided in the UDP ahead of an identified requirement.

3. The development of Davenport Green for the activities identified in the Proposal will revitalise the sub-regional economy by attracting wealth-creating/exporting business which might otherwise be attracted elsewhere. It will complement the development of sites in existing urban areas, and thereby promote urban regeneration, by stimulating indirect and spin-off development and jobs in other parts of the conurbation. It will further promote urban regeneration by directly creating jobs of a high quality that are readily accessible to disadvantaged communities in the former Urban Programme target areas of Greater Manchester. The conservation and enhancement of the 99.12 Ha (245 acres) of land surrounding the development site for ecological interest, farming and controlled public access will bring additional tangible benefit to the community and the local environment.

4. The Council is not prepared to release this high quality green-field site for development for anything other than the uses specified in this Proposal.

5. The Council will seek to ensure the achievement of these objectives via a legal agreement(s) to be entered into by the developer(s) of the strategic employment site. The legal agreement(s) will provide that upon the granting of planning permission, ownership of the 99.12 Ha (245 acres) of land would transfer to a Trust established by a charitable deed. The Trust will secure the overall aims of the Rural Park, including its detailed long-term management.

Part II Proposal E15 – Priority Regeneration Area: Carrington

1. Employment Development Proposals

Within the Carrington Priority regeneration Area the Council will permit new and replacement employment development as described below: -

  • Development to provide B1 business park and light industry, B2 manufacturing industry and B8 warehousing and distribution facilities.
  • Development to provide remote off-airport car parking, passenger and baggage terminal facilities and airfreight handling facilities for Manchester Airport.
  • Development to provide new inland port and wharfage facilities.

The Council, however, will not grant planning permission for any development that may compromise the operational use of the Manchester Ship Canal (see Proposal T16).

2. Infrastructure Development Proposals

As part of an integrated approach to transport provision in the Carrington area the Council will encourage and promote the following improvements to the transport infrastructure of the area:-

  • The refurbishment and improvement of the local highway infrastructure, particularly the A6144 Manchester Road;
  • The provision of enhanced transport facilities for buses, cycles and pedestrians to improve the areas links to other parts of the Borough;
  • The provision of improved port/wharfage facilities on the eastern bank of the Manchester Ship Canal;

The Council will not grant planning permission for any development that may prejudice the implementation of any of the above proposals.

3. Safeguarded Infrastructure Proposals

The Council will safeguard routes for the following infrastructure improvements:

  • The provision of a new southern highway link to the A6144 Manchester Road from end of the A6144M Carrington Spur;
  • The provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian bridge links across the Manchester Ship Canal from the A6144 Manchester Road to the A57 Cadishead Way (Salford) to improve linkages between the communities and employment opportunities on the Trafford and Salford banks of the Manchester Ship canal;
  • The reinstatement of rail freight access into the area along the route of the Altrincham-Irlam rail route;
  • The re-instatement of the Altrincham-Irlam railway line for passenger and freight traffic;
  • The provision of new passenger rail stations on the re-instated Altrincham-Irlam railway.

4. Landscape, Environment and Amenity Improvement Proposals

The Council will encourage and promote landscape, environment, ecological and amenity improvements consistent with the above development proposals and the Councils Landscape Strategy in the following areas: -

  • Along the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal;
  • Along the main road, rail and other access corridors (used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders) serving the locality;
  • On the open land at Carrington Moss between the eastern boundary of the Carrington main employment development area and the western boundary of the residential area of Sale;
  • On the open land in the vicinity and to the south of Sinderland Brook.

The Council will not grant planning permission for developments that do not take full account of the improvements proposed above in any development schemes that are put forward in their vicinity.

Justification

1. The economic and community regeneration of the Partington and Carrington area is a high priority of the Council. To manage the regeneration process a Partington and Carrington Partnership has been established and an Action Plan prepared to guide the process of regenerating economic, educational, housing, social and environmental conditions in the area. A combination of private sector, SRB/Capital Challenge and Council resources have been committed to accomplish the task.

2. The urban area of Partington is one of the most deprived areas of the Borough and has been identified by the Council as a priority area for improvement and community regeneration action (see Proposal H11).

3. Business investment in the Carrington area in years gone by provided significant employment opportunities for residents of Partington and surrounding areas in energy production, storage and distribution and chemical industries. More recently, however, these industries have contracted and in many cases closed. Despite the recent successful development and occupation of the Carrington Business Park on Manchester Road, employment opportunities in the area are therefore no longer as substantial as they once were. The contraction of employment activity in the locality has left large areas of unused, derelict or contaminated land and a degraded environment.

4. Despite the construction of the Carrington Spur from the M60 motorway and recent improvements to the A6144 Manchester Road and Carrington Lane, accessibility to the area is relatively poor. Public transport provision is very limited. Rail transport provision is non- existent.

5. The regeneration of employment activity in the Carrington area will be important to the ultimate success of the planned regeneration of the Partington Township and to the planned regeneration of the upper reaches of the Manchester Ship Canal Corridor that it abuts. This planned regeneration will provide the momentum and wherewithal to stimulate investment in necessary improvements in the transport infrastructure servicing the area and the quality and appearance of the landscape, environment and amenity of the locality and its surrounding countryside areas.

6. The highway improvements safeguarded within 3(a) and 3(b) are intended to upgrade the Primary Route Network access to the area for commercial, residential and public transport traffic and are key to the success of the overall regeneration proposals. As indicated in Proposal T8, the Council, jointly with Salford City Council, will be seeking contributions towards the funding of the construction of these two major schemes from private sector developers proposing new development schemes within the area (see also Proposal T9).

7. The Government is committed to reducing the use of roads for freight and other transport purposes. Guidance contained within PPG13 – Transport advises local authorities to seek to locate new manufacturing and distribution activity in locations that are well served by passenger and freight rail infrastructure. The guidance also advises that opportunities for development that have the potential for moving freight via the inland waterway network should be pursued. The location of new manufacturing and distribution facilities in locations that are accessible by a good choice of transport modes is proposed both in Regional Planning Guidance for the North West and the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan. The Altrincham - Irlam railway line remains part of the national operational rail network.

8. In relation to Manchester Airport, this Proposal seeks to build upon the improvements to the transport infrastructure identified elsewhere in the Plan, principally within Proposals T8 and T11.