Trafford Council is to consult with residents over multi-million pound plans to continue the exciting transformation of the area around the Town Hall and surrounding buildings into a new ‘Civic Quarter’.
The Civic Quarter Area Action Plan (CQ AAP) covers a 55 hectare site taking in the Town Hall, Lancashire Cricket Club, the former Kellogg’s site including the University Academy 92 (UA92) campus, stretching up to the A56/Chester Road and White City retail park. The area is one of the most popular places in the borough and each year 2.5m people visit Old Trafford and half a million go to Lancashire Cricket Club.
Trafford Council will now be speaking with residents and businesses on the proposals and want as many people as possible to give their views.
The plans include building a new leisure centre; an improved public realm, new homes and offices and improved cycle and pedestrian routes. They also include the possible development of a new public piazza which could lie between the Town Hall, the UA92 site and Lancashire Cricket Club and provide an inspirational focal point for celebrations and events throughout the year.
A ‘processional route’ has also been proposed which could improve the connection between two world-class sporting venues - Lancashire Cricket Club and Manchester United, linked by Trafford Town Hall.
Last week, Trafford Council’s Executive approved taking the consultation draft Civic Quarter Area Action Plan (CQ AAP) to public consultation for a period of no less than six weeks. The Committee also backed the principle of the Council using its compulsory purchase powers for the former B&Q site on Great Stone Road, if it cannot be acquired by negotiations, to help deliver the Plan.
Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive member for Housing and Regeneration, said:
We are very excited by these plans. The proposals for the Civic Quarter present a fantastic opportunity to develop local amenities, improve community use of the area and transform our public spaces. We are looking to create a fantastic place for those who live and work in the Trafford area and exemplifies our priority of creating successful and thriving places in the borough for everyone to enjoy.
The people of Trafford are at the centre of these plans and we will consult with residents every step of the way as we continue the journey to creating a vibrant and amazing Civic Quarter.”
Andrew Cooke, regional director for Bruntwood Works, said:
We are incredibly passionate about creating thriving towns and we’re thrilled to be at a stage where, together with Trafford Council, we’re consulting with local people to ensure their views and aspirations for the area are taken into account. The plans being discussed for the Civil Quarter have the potential to kick start the much-needed regeneration of Stretford and Old Trafford, giving those who work and live in the area improved amenities and better transport links which, ultimately, helps to strengthen the local economy.”
The consultation period will run from 5pm, 5 February to 5pm, 20 March, 2020. Any comments on the draft Civic Quarter AAP must be formally provided to the Council in writing by:
You can find out more information about the plans at two interactive events being run by the Council:
- Wednesday 26 Feb, 6-8pm, Lancashire Cricket Club
- Tuesday 10 March, 6-8pm, Lancashire Cricket Club
To book your place, please visit our eventbrite page. The two events are identical so you only need to book once.
Posted on Thursday 6th February 2020