Altrincham canalside apartments lead Trafford agenda

Two apartment blocks between Navigation Road and Oldfield Brow in Altrincham are due to be discussed by Trafford’s planning committee next week with both lined up for approval.

The largest of the two, pictured above, has been designed by architect Leach Rhodes Walker for developer Elderloch, part of MCR Property Group, alongside the Bridgewater Canal off Wharf Road and features 99 apartments.

Ranging between three and nine storeys in height, it will replace an existing brick warehouse and will feature one, two, and three-bed flats. These are split between 34 one-beds, 53 two-beds, and six three-bed apartments, as well as six two-bed townhouses fronting Wharf Road.

It will also include 104 car parking spaces and 99 cycle spaces, as well as a 6,000 sq ft internal courtyard for residents.

Letters of objection have been received from 45 neighbouring properties, largely raising concerns over access, increased traffic, and congestion.

The developer had also previously claimed including affordable homes in the development would lead to viability issues, but 20 of the apartments have now been earmarked for shared-ownership housing.

Planning officers said the committee should be minded to approve the development, subject to a Section 106 agreement. Alongside Leach Rhodes Walker as architect, the professional team also includes Savills as planner and Enzygo as transport planner and ecological consultant.

Also on the agenda is an Ollier Smurthwaite-designed block, pictured below, featuring 42 apartments on the site of the former Rileys Snooker Club on Bridgewater Road, further up the canal from Elderloch’s proposals.

This includes 11 one-bed and 31 two-bed apartments, as well as a ground floor car park with 42 spaces and 42 cycle parking spaces. At seven storeys, the scheme, brought forward by Maya Property Development, will rival the neighbouring Budenberg apartments in height.

Much like Elderloch’s proposals, Maya’s plans have been subject to a series of letters of objection, with 43 residents raising issues over an increase in traffic, and the scale and massing of the development.

Eight of the apartments have been offered for affordable tenure, brought forward by Trafford Housing Trust, half the amount required under Trafford’s planning policy. Four of these will be two-beds and four will be one-beds, all offered under shared ownership.

Planners also said the committee should be minded to approve Maya’s proposals, subject to a Section 106 agreement. The professional team also includes Paul Butler Associates as planner, Curtins as transport consultant, and Urban Green as environmental consultant.