MCR revises plans for rejected Altrincham apartments

Developer MCR has unveiled updated proposals for a site alongside the Bridgewater Canal in Altrincham after its previous plans for the site were refused by Trafford Council.

The developer had previously put forward proposals for 99 apartments on a site off Wharf Road, split between blocks ranging between three and nine storeys in height.

Replacing an existing brick warehouse on the opposite side of the canal to Halfords, the proposals featured one, two, and three-bed flats, split between 34 one-beds, 53 two-beds, and six three-bed apartments, as well as six two-bed townhouses fronting Wharf Road.

However, this was refused by Trafford Council’s planning committee in July this year, against officer recommendation. MCR’s proposals were strongly criticised by members and were rejected due to overdevelopment concerns and the associated impact on local transport infrastructure.

Now, MCR has put forward a revised application which nearly halves the amount of apartments proposed on the site.

Again designed by Leach Rhodes Walker, the updated proposals are for 49 homes and apartments within a block ranging between two and five storeys.

The brick-clad building will house 44 apartments while there will also five townhouses. Parking provision is one-for-one with 57 spaces for occupants; this includes five electric vehicle charging points, five accessible spaces and eight for visitors.

The professional team on the project also features Savills as planner and Enzygo as transport planner and ecological consultant.

MCR’s proposal was originally refused in June

Nick Lake, asset manager of MCR Property Group, said: “Following the response to our initial plans for this site, we took the feedback from local residents and planning committee and went back to the drawing board. This public consultation was intended to demonstrate to the local community that our aim is to bring much-needed, high quality homes to Altrincham by making the most of this enviable canalside site, a key arterial route into the town from Manchester.”

Christian Gilham, director at Leach Rhodes Walker, said: “This dynamic residence will enhance the landscape of the waterway while complementing the style and scale of adjacent properties. Through variation in height and materials, the singular apartment block is designed to multiple, distinct buildings.”

Rob Haslam, director at Savills, said: “The revised proposal makes a positive use of a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location and we believe responds positively to the concerns raised by local residents and Trafford planning committee members. The new development will also contribute homes towards the Council’s five-year housing land supply requirement.”

At the same committee in June, Maya Property’s proposals by architect Ollier Smurthwaite for 42 apartments in a seven-storey block were also refused. These were split between 11 one-bed and 31 two-bed apartments, and a ground floor car park with 42 spaces and 42 cycle parking spaces was also proposed.

This would have sat on the site of the former Rileys Snooker Club on Bridgewater Road.