Clarendon House overhaul tipped for approval
Developer Citihaus wants to convert former office, retail and library space at the Altrincham town centre site to 68 apartments in a remodelling and extension.
Trafford Council’s planning committee will consider the proposal at its meeting on Thursday 11 August with approval recommended.
Citihaus, which was set up by former Factory Estates directors Chris Bowman and Naushad Islam, is working with planner Euan Kellie Property Solutions and architect tp bennett on the project.
The professional team also includes Adapt Heritage, Artal, Urban Green, Mason Navarro Pledge, Novo, Hann Tucker Associates, SK Transport Planning, MNP and Tim Claxton Property.
Plans were filed by the developer’s team in March. Citihaus proposes a scheme including four studio flats, 25 one-bedroom flats, 34 two-bedroom flats and five three-bedroom duplexes.
In the biggest change to the scheme since plans were originally mooted, 31 homes are to be affordable: three studios, 22 one-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom apartments. This represents 45% of the apartments, as opposed to 6% in the initial plans.
Citihaus’s project requires the addition of a two-storey extension atop the six-storey building, adding 11,000 sq ft. Forty two parking spaces will be provided, with five EV charging points.
The vacant upper office floors have been identified as suitable for residential conversion, while the library space, an adjacent retail unit and a circulation area will become part of the residential scheme, with incoming facilities including a reception area.
The remaining retail units will remain in place, and remain under the control of the Trafford Council/Bruntwood joint venture, from which Citihaus agreed a deal to buy the building earlier this year.
Trafford’s planning officers said they are “minded to grant approval, subject to legal agreement”.
Summing up the proposals, their report points out that amendments have been made since submission, with increased biodiversity and the affordable housing element being increased.
It is also pointed out that Trafford cannot demonstrate a five-year housing supply at present, tilting the planning balance in favour of sustainable development.
In heritage terms, officers said the proposals are considered to do only minor harm to their setting, where considerations include the adjacent, listed Station Hotel and the wider Stamford New Road conservation area.
The project’s planning reference with Trafford Council is 107530.
