Residents are being asked their views on Trafford Council’s plans to transform the historic Empress Conservation Area in Old Trafford.
The area between Chester Road and the A56 was placed on Historic England’s ‘at risk’ register in 2012 and has been the site of stalled private regeneration plans for derelict Empress Mill, Trafford Press and Veno buildings.
Now, along with partners Homes England and Historic England, the Council wants to regenerate the area, a powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution, through possible new interventions set out by Donald Insall Architects.
The draft Empress Conservation Area Regeneration Plan is the subject of a new round of public consultation and residents can give their views on the plans online.
A consultation drop in event will also be held at Trafford Town Hall on Wednesday 12 November from 3pm to 7pm.
Ideas for the area include restoring and reusing vacant buildings, repurposing vacant land, and making more of the proud industrial heritage of the area. The Council hopes the improvements will benefit residents, businesses, site owners and partners, and proposals include building a mix of housing as well as improving routes to parks and green space.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said:
“The Empress Conservation Area is a very important site within Trafford and offers a snapshot into the borough’s proud industrial past. We want to regenerate the area as a great, sustainable place to live, work and visit in years to come. We are asking as many residents as possible to take part in the consultation as your views are extremely important to us as we move forward with these draft plans.”
The consultation will open on 20 October and finish on 1 December 2025.