PLANNING | Warwick Road flats refused, events space green-lit

Jumani Holdings’ plans for 88 apartments over 13 storeys in Old Trafford were turned down by the borough’s planning committee, which approved the Not So Secret Garden scheme in Altrinham’s Stamford Quarter.

The council’s planning officers had said they were minded to grant approval on the basis of conditions being met including 10% affordable housing provision, but the committee were not swayed by the plans.

Views expressed by committee members included that the scheme represents “a more dominant development than that previously approved,” referring to the site’s existing consent, granted to the site’s previous owner in 2016 and still in place, for a 12-storey, 89-apartment project.

This chimed with the objection from the residents’ association at adjacent Warwickgate House, one of six lodged ahead of the meeting.

On the affordable homes issue, members raised concerns around the full provision being proposed as shared ownership rather than rented.

Consent was however given to Not So Secret Garden, a social hub space within Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter proposed by the joint venture between Bruntwood Works and Trafford Council.

The project, which has a summer-long events programme starting on 4 June, will see Stamford Square house a solar-powered pergola, complete with seating, festoon lighting and a flower wall.

Events will include live music every Friday, free fitness sessions, regular sustainability and wellness workshops and a regular Art Jam. Street food traders will also feature.

Stamford Square Altrincham bruntwood

Andrea George, director of town centres and consumer brands, said “The arrival of the Not So Secret Garden marks part of Bruntwood Works’ and Trafford Council’s ambitions to reshape the high street in Altrincham, which includes creating a community-focussed, multifaceted public square at the heart of the Stamford Quarter destination.

“The Not So Secret Garden is central to this, bringing our vision for community, sustainability and wellbeing together with an activation designed to support the whole Altincham community – from the businesses in the Stamford Quarter to residents.”

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