Cole Waterhouse launches consultation for 850 Trafford homes

The developer wants to build a mixed-use development including 438 build-to-rent apartments and 419 student beds.

The public will be offered a chance to give their opinion on Cole Waterhouse’s plans for the former Hilti headquarters site off Trafford Wharf Road.

The consultation will take place virtually, with those interested encouraged to visit the online exhibition from now until Friday 4 October on Cole Waterhouse’s website: colewaterhousetrafford.consultationonline.co.uk/

The student accommodation will provide a mix of cluster rooms and studio rooms, which will include ensuite bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces and shared internal and external amenity spaces.

Subject to the planning process, Cole Waterhouse hopes to construct a range of six to 24 storeys across the scheme.

As well as flats, there will be ground-floor commercial units, an education facility, offices, and a café as part of the development.

Cole Waterhouse predicts that its proposals will support a total of 1,368 full-time equivalent jobs.

It has also stated its investment will support the local economy with an £8.5m net additional expenditure from newly housed residents.

Damian Flood, Cole Waterhouse chief executive, said: “Our vision for the former Hilti site is to create much-needed homes across a range of tenures, and represents a multi-million-pound investment into Trafford with highly sustainable transport links.

“This would transform what is an ideally located brownfield site into a thriving neighbourhood which is within walking distance of the University of Salford Media City campus and is well connected to many of the University Institutes across Manchester, Salford and Trafford.”

The developer said it was “looking forward” to hearing back from stakeholders and nearby residents.

The landscape architecture will be designed by re-form Landscape Architecture.

Cole Waterhouse is the developer behind the Erie Dock Apartments, or Eda, in Salford Quays.