Pomona Island regen held up by planning stand-off
Long-awaited plans to redevelop the 26-acre swathe of land will not come forward until Peel L&P and Trafford Council reach an accord on the level of affordable housing to be provided on a separate project.
In 2021, Peel lodged plans for a 162-apartment build-to-rent scheme on part of Pomona Island.
The project featured no on-site affordable housing provision – although Peel did offer a ‘significant financial contribution’ towards off-site affordable housing – and Trafford Council subsequently recommended the development be refused.
This promoted Peel to withdraw the £35m proposals before they were discussed at committee.
Since then, the council and the developer have been locked in negotiations over the level of affordable housing to be provided within the project. Trafford wants a policy compliant 20%, while Peel argues viability constraints limit the amount of discounted homes that could be delivered.
Peel confirmed to Place North West that the wider outline planning application for Pomona Island will not come forward until the issue is resolved.
“We’re working with Trafford Council to agree the affordable housing provision at a build-to-rent scheme we’d like to bring forward at Pomona Island and we’ll be able to submit the outline application once this development has been approved,” said James Whittaker, Peel L&P’s executive director of development.
“Following the approval of a masterplan [for Pomona Island] in 2020, we’re now looking to submit an outline planning application for the Island, which will include updated proposals for the amount of commercial space.”
Whittaker had previously said an outline planning application would be lodged this year. This now seems unlikely.
Peel argues that providing affordable homes would not be viable. Credit: via planning documents
The outline planning application for Pomona Island is being drawn up by planning consultant Turley and Jon Matthews Architects. The masterplan identified the potential to deliver up to 2,700 homes and 746,530 sq ft of commercial across five buildings.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “We are committed to ensuring that sufficient affordable homes are provided on new developments in order to meet the housing needs of our communities.
“In this case, the application was not considered to provide sufficient affordable housing and other contributions to meet current planning policy and so was recommended for refusal.
“There is no broader impediment to development in this location or the wider site and we would welcome a revised scheme on the site in accordance with planning guidelines.”
Some development at Pomona Island, which Peel has rebranded as Manchester Waters, has already taken place.
X1 has completed 380 homes and a further 190 homes are due for completion in 2024.
At the other end of Pomona Island, Rowlinsons’ Pomona Wharf development completed in 2017.
