Greatstone Hotel resi to be refused on heritage grounds

Owner Dowd & Company wants to demolish the hotel in Stretford and build 56 apartments, but the council is expected to reject the scheme next week due to the impact it could have on surrounding heritage assets. 

The hotel has been operating since the 1960s but the owners believe it is no longer a viable venture due to a lack of modern facilities and the arrival of alternative operators such as Airbnb, and other budget or boutique hotels nearby, according to the planning statement.  

Dowd & Company lodged plans to demolish the hotel and redevelop the Chester Road site into a six-storey, L-shaped apartment block in August. 

However, Trafford Council’s planning officers said the scheme would have an adverse impact on the listed grade two-listed Gorse Hill Park Entrance Portal and Stretford War Memorial, located nearby. 

A report to the council’s planning committee added: “The proposed development would be visually intrusive on the street scene, out of character with the urban grain of the surrounding area and would have a dominating impact on the adjacent Gorse Hill Park.” 

Officers also said the development appeared “cramped” and lacked “good quality soft landscaping or outdoor amenity space”. 

At present, the site houses two Victorian-style villas. One is used as the hotel and the other as a family annexe.  

Pozzoni Architecture designed the scheme, Savills is the planning consultant and SCP Transport is the transport consultant.  Trafford Council is due to consider the plans next Thursday.

Greatstone Hotel Stretford

The hotel has been open since the 1960s

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Not sure what the issue is here, this actually looks quite good and appropriately scaled on what is a main arterial route.

By Emoji

I can’t help but find this situation eyebrow raising.

Certain councils, charged with looking after the most historically significant city centre outside London, would wave any old rubbish through (and visibly have!), claiming they have no choice.

Meanwhile, the council running Stretford. Stretford, I say. Refuse permission for buildings on heritage grounds!

And that’s not to suggest they they are wrong to do so.

By Mike

I think this is the correct decision. The proposals are interesting, but the scale isn’t appropriate given the heritage context. The new block, while appropriate for this very sustainable location, completely dominate the street scene. I actually think the CGI doesn’t help the argument, as the perspective skews the relative proportions!

By Ardy

Not a horrendous scheme but the two existing villas should be retained as part of any proposal. They are a bit tired but would look amazing refurbished with a large new build element attached.

By Observer

Anything must be an improvement on the current dilapidated building. Anyone who drives down this part of the A56 will also struggle to see how the development can have an adverse impact on the surrounding street scene

By Anonymous

It’s a good idea with so many people people looking for accommodation. Council officers always like to poke their nose into good projects!

By Mohammed Arshad

Six storeys isn’t high for a main arterial road, plus it adds definition to the street scene but in a positive way. Its scale is a benefit not a drawback.

By Emoji

Too high, too intrusive, too ugly.
Not in keeping with the Heritage Sites. A monstrosity.

By Xxx

Did this scheme make it to committee? Was it refused?

By planning update please

I think a refurbished hotel would be more in keeping, with something nicer from door to pavement.
2 minutes from Old Trafford Football and Cricket stadiums must be able to make it pay.

By Paul

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