The first stage of exciting and ambitious plans to regenerate a huge area next to the Manchester ship canal have been approved by Councillors.
Trafford Council’s Executive last night (February 26) approved plans for the draft Trafford Wharfside Development Framework and Draft Trafford Wharfside Masterplan to go out to public consultation.
The masterplan offers a vision for the Trafford Wharfside area as a key emerging neighbourhood over the next 15 years and the Wharfside Development Framework has been prepared by the Council in discussion with major landowning partners including Peel, Manchester United and Salford City Council.
The plan has identified a number of potential development sites and will be used to set an overall strategy to guide future, well designed development in the area. The masterplan places nature and landscape at the heart of its vision, celebrates the Manchester Ship Canal waterfront and the Imperial War Museum, creates opportunities for up to 5,000 high quality new homes, connects Trafford Wharfside to the city centre and develops a high-quality setting for Manchester United as they develop their plans for a world-class football stadium.
Following the meeting last night, the public will be given the opportunity to give their views on the strategy in a consultation due to be launched in the next week or so.
Councillors were told that the vision for Trafford Wharfside is for an area of well-connected communities where all amenities, landmarks and public spaces are easily accessed. The vision supports the Council’s priorities to reduce health inequalities, supporting people out of poverty and addressing our climate crisis and will create a greener, more natural place in which to live and visit.
It will be split into distinct areas:
- Trafford Wharf – north area of Wharfside bordering the Manchester Ship Canal
- Heritage Quarter – adjacent to Trafford Wharf
- Stadium District – Manchester United area
- Innovation Quarter – western area of Wharfside
- Wharfside Heart – connects the four other character areas together
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “I am delighted that the Executive has approved the launch of the consultation on the draft Trafford Wharfside Development Framework and Draft Trafford Wharfside Masterplan.
“Trafford Wharfside is an area that will see great change over the next 15-20 years. With the Manchester Ship Canal on one side, it is home to many businesses, existing communities, the Imperial War Museum North and the iconic Old Trafford football stadium.
“We have been working with key partners and landowners Peel, Manchester United and Salford City Council to bring forward plans for the future of this area. These plans will ensure the area is developed with well-designed new homes, green spaces, good transport and walking connections to the city centre and Salford and with the community facilities in place to make it a great place to live and work. We want to provide a world class setting for Manchester United’s stadium and greatly improve the visitor experience to the area, making the most of the historical waterfront at Wharfside.
“Over the next few weeks Trafford Council will be launching a consultation on these proposals, take the opportunity to make your views known.”
Posted on Tuesday 27th February 2024