Old Trafford build-to-rent given go-ahead

Paragon Property has secured approval from the local authority for a 286-bed apartment scheme off Chester Road.

Trafford Council had recommended approval for the Old Trafford scheme, which was lodged by Beech Holdings in 2024. A motion to refuse the recommendation was moved and seconded but failed following a vote.

Councillors ultimately voted in favour of the scheme despite concerns about a lack of on-site car parking.

Since the proposals were submitted, there has been a change in the name of the applicant, with Paragon Property now bringing the project forward instead of Beech Holdings.

Paragon was previously known as Beech Holdings Investments and listed Stephen Beech among its directors.

Beech stepped down in 2024 and the company changed its name the year after. Paragon is now headed up by Asif Abbas and Wasim Choudhury.

The original proposals featured no affordable housing but, following talks with the local authority, the plans going to committee next week will include a 10% intermediate rent provision.

The scheme features two blocks of 16 and six storeys on a site currently occupied by a vacant petrol station and multi-storey car park next to the Westpoint apartment building between Chester Road and Stretford Road

The taller of the two blocks features 193 homes. Of these, 113 would be one-bedroom flats and 71 would have two bedrooms. The remaining eight properties would be three-bed townhouses.

The smaller of the two blocks would have 94 homes, including 36 with one bed, 46 with two, and 12 three-bed townhouses.

Paul Butler Associates is advising on planning. The project team also features Hydrock, Cumming Group, Exterior Architecture, SGI Consulting, Jensen Hughes, and Harris Infrastructure Advisory.

To learn more about the project, search for reference number 115029/FUL/24 on Trafford Council’s planning portal.