Trafford launches consultation on Civic Quarter

Two public consultation events on Trafford’s Civic Quarter are due to be held in the coming months with the council seeking views on its masterplan for the area around the town hall and Old Trafford Cricket Ground, led by architect Feilden Clegg Bradley.

The masterplan for the area, stretching between Old Trafford Metrolink stop up to Chester Road and beyond, features new public realm, options for buildings of up to 20 storeys, a new leisure centre, and a “processional route” between the tram stop and Manchester United’s stadium.

Two public consultation events are taking place next month: one on Tuesday 6 November between 6pm and 8pm at Trafford Town Hall; and another on Tuesday 11 December between 6pm and 8pm at Lancashire County Cricket Club. The consultation started last night and will run until 5pm on 14 December. Feedback on the masterplan can be sent to civicquartermasterplan@trafford.gov.uk.

Central to the plan is a civic square which will focus on the junction between Talbot Road, Brian Statham Way, and Warwick Road.

This includes a 3.7-acre portion of land currently allocated to Lancashire County Cricket Club as car parking – if parking provision can be accommodated elsewhere, this will be opened up to form a large area of public realm for use on match and non-match days. This will be larger than both Manchester’s Albert Square, and public realm outside Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium.

The square fronts onto a proposed “wellbeing route” along Talbot Road where two lanes of traffic will be transformed into a multi-modal route featuring shared surfaces for vehicles, a cycle lane, and a running track.

Elsewhere, Brian Statham Way will be pedestrianised and along with Warwick Road will form a “processional route” which will provide opportunities for active street frontages between the Metrolink station and Old Trafford football ground, as well as adding to the area’s permeability and improving pedestrian experience.

The tallest buildings in the area could reach up to 20 storeys along Talbot Road behind the UA92 site in a mixed-use development. This area has been set aside to complement the re-use of the former Kellogg’s Building by the university, and will also include an area of historical value centred around the Bowling Green and the associated pub.

Next to UA92 on Brian Statham Way, land is set aside for mixed-use development, and a new leisure centre is also proposed near the cricket ground. Building heights here are set at a maximum of 10 storeys owning to the low-rise residential nature of sites on the other side of the Metrolink station.

Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Andrew Western, said: “The Civic Quarter Masterplan presents a fantastic opportunity to further develop local amenities, improve community use of the area and completely transform our public spaces. The plans aim to create a fantastic place for those who live and work here, so please take the time to tell us what you want: your views are vital in shaping this amazing project.”

Along with Feilden Clegg Bradley, the masterplan team includes landscape architect Planit-IE, planner GVA How, engineer Curtins, and Purcell on heritage.