FEC unveils plans for 1,200 homes and hotel in Stretford
Fresh details on the long-awaited redevelopment of the 10-acre former GMP headquarters off Chester Road have been published, revealing a denser scheme than expected.
FEC was selected as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Trafford Council’s development partner for the site in 2023. The developer, which counts the mammoth Victoria North in Manchester among its projects, was initially working up plans for around 750 homes.
However, the proposals unveiled today and now out for consultation are for a much denser project, which features 1,200 homes and a 250-bed hotel.
A quarter of the proposed homes would be affordable, offering shared ownership and social rent options, according to FEC.
Shops, cafes, and workspace also feature within the project, which forms part of the wider Civic Quarter, itself earmarked for 4,000 homes.
The former GMP site, vacant since the police left for Newton Heath in 2012, is also home to the Victorian-era Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall, which will restored as part of the development.
The site will also be home to the district heat network energy centre, generating low carbon heat for distribution and supply across the Civic Quarter.
- Credit: via Citypress
- Credit: via Citypress
Ono Odudu, project director at FEC, said: “This consultation is an important step in shaping the next chapter for this important gateway site. The Chester House site has been vacant for many years, and our vision is to bring it back into use in a way that reflects the community’s ambitions and values.
“We want to work hand-in-hand with the community to create a sustainable neighbourhood delivering real benefits – homes, jobs and green spaces – while celebrating the area’s heritage and identity. We’re looking forward to hearing everyone’s views to help shape a masterplan that they can be proud of.”
3DReid is the architect, Asteer is the planner and Re-form is the landscape architect. Curtins, Futureserv, Quartz, and Lexington make up the consultant team.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “This is a superb scheme on a brownfield site which supports Trafford Council’s priorities regarding the provision of new and affordable housing for the borough.
“We also welcome the public realm, commercial space and the heat network aspects of the scheme as well as the 500 new jobs it will provide. We are keen to hear everyone’s views on this sustainable new neighbourhood so would encourage as many residents as possible to take part in the consultation.”
FEC expects to submit a planning application in spring.
Very good to see this very big site come forward.
By Nice
What about doctors and schools for all the new residents. Our doctors bursting at the seems as it is!
By Tracy
I’m very concerned about the density of housing in comparison to town centre size and number of parking spaces. I know this plan is meant to be green but there’s going to be houses not sold if people can’t park their cars.
I am keen to see the redevelopment in Stretford and really like the new King Street but I’m very disappointed at the lack of shops and businesses that were supposed to be on the old PO site and are now also going to be homes.
By Sally G
It says a quarter of homes affordable what’s going to happen to the three quarters that aren’t affordable. I have read it a few times it definitely doesn’t explain about the unaffordable homes
By Dudley J Barton
Hi Dudley! Affordable homes is a specific designation – it means homes that are at least 20% below the market rate. You’ll find that this means the price of “affordable housing” varies depending on location as well, so a discounted home in Cheshire East is still likely to be more expensive, say, than a similar property in Knowsley. I hope this helps.
By Julia Hatmaker
‘Stretford’ – is this not more Old Trafford?
By Anonymous
Everywhere is congested with the stupid road schemes ,bus,cycle lanes Stretford Arndale is a disaster ..
By Graham Edwards Stretford Resident..
I’m all for new homes being built, but a project of this scale in an already densely populated area will stretch the local doctors, schools, tram network and roads to breaking point.
By Big Des
> Everywhere is congested with the stupid road schemes ,bus,cycle lanes Stretford Arndale is a disaster ..
Kingsway is a fantastic upgrade from the dull, dreary and polluted dual carriageway of the 1960s. There is little to no congestion along it, and also no congestion on the A56 with the new cycleways.
By Flixton resident
Boring . Need big sky scrappers like Hulme and Salford
By Jp