Altrincham’s Regent Road overhaul set for approval

Trafford Council’s planning committee has been recommended to approve the redevelopment of Altrincham’s Regent Road car park into 70 apartments, shops, and a multi-storey car park, when it meets on 8 March.

Developer Citybranch and architect Project3’s proposals include 70 apartments across two five-storey blocks, with a mix of eight studio apartments, 38 one-bedroom, and 24 two-bedroom flats.

These will replace the existing 147-space car park on the site, while the existing public toilets on the site will be demolished. Neighbouring buildings, including Thai restaurant Phanthong, will be retained.

There will also be 9,500 sq ft of retail, café, restaurant or commercial space on the ground floor of both blocks, fronting Regent Road, New Street, and a new public square.

Alongside the apartments and commercial space, the development includes a five-storey car park with space for 300 cars, which will be operated by Trafford Council with vehicular access via New Street.

The public square and improvements to the site’s Regent Road frontage have been designed to increase permeability with the surrounding town centre, and according to planning documents, “the overall quality” of the square will be similar to Goose Green, another of the town’s public squares.

The proposals also include improvements to Railway Street to increase access to the new development and to Altrincham Hospital.

Trafford planning officers have said this week’s committee should be “minded to grant” planning permission for the proposals, based on a Section 106 contribution of £250,000 towards public realm works in the town centre, alongside an agreement to secure further public realm contributions, dependent on a future viability appraisal of the scheme.

Planners noted it was unlikely the scheme could support any affordable housing, “largely because of the costs associated with the construction of the multi-storey car park”.

The report to the committee added: “The proposal would enhance the Stamford New Road conservation area by improving the quality of the street scene at the junction of New Street and Regent Road; and bring increased footfall to this part of Altrincham.

“[The scheme] would bring about the redevelopment of a long-term under-used site which currently detracts from the character of the town”.

Alongside Project 3, the professional team also includes How as planner and Planit IE as landscape architect.