Demolition work completed on much-needed housing site

Demolition works have been completed marking a milestone in the journey to transform the landmark site into a proposed new neighbourhood of around 1,250 homes.

Trafford Council has signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with the landowners, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and FEC to build much-needed housing – including 25 per cent affordable – on the nine-acre site off Chester Road.

Located within Trafford’s Civic Quarter Area Action Plan, the plans include:

• A diverse mix of approximately 1,250 new sustainable homes, with 25 per cent designated as affordable housing
• A hotel with up to 250 bedrooms to welcome visitors to Trafford
• Around 25,000 sq ft of commercial space for cafés, bars and community services
• More than 700 cycle parking spaces, including bike rental facilities
• 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
•  A 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
• Sustainable on-site generation of low-carbon heat to serve the development.

Executed by Trafford based demolition contractor P.P. O'Connor, the programme has cleared the way for the next phase of the project, while preserving the Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall for future community use.

Sustainability and social value were central to the delivery of the works, with a focus on responsible practices and creating positive outcomes for the local community.

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said:

"I am delighted that demolition work has been completed on the former GMP site. This is an exciting development which will result in the building of 1,250 new and affordable sustainable homes within Trafford.
 

"Trafford Council is committed to tackling the housing crisis by building more new and affordable homes on brownfield sites across the borough." 

Ono Odudu, Project Director at FEC, said:

"The completion of demolition works marks an important milestone in unlocking the full potential of this significant site. Working in partnership with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, we now have a unique opportunity to deliver a sustainable new neighbourhood that responds to local housing needs while creating a lasting legacy for the wider community.
 

"We look forward to bringing forward a place that delivers much-needed new homes alongside high-quality public spaces, amenities and opportunities for both existing and future residents."

A planning application for the new homes will be submitted to Trafford Council in the autumn.

The site was formerly the HQ of Greater Manchester Police before the force moved to a purpose-built new facility in Central Park, Oldham Road, Newton Heath in 2012.