Skerton Road investor hunts for developer after Trafford sign-off
CJM Investment’s plans for 367 apartments on the former Arkady Craigmillar factory site in Trafford Bar have been approved by the council and a delivery partner is sought.
The Tim Groom Architects-designed residential scheme on Skerton Road is part of Trafford Council’s 135-acre Civic Quarter masterplan. The three-acre site sits at the intersection of Tennis Street and Grove House and is bounded by Elsinore Road to the north-west.
CJM Investment, a Worsley-based special purpose vehicle headed up by director John Main, according to Companies House, first lodged an application to build 400 homes on the site in March and has since scaled back the scheme.
The latest proposal comprises five apartment blocks ranging in height between five and 10 storeys. The residential offer includes 166 one-bedroom apartments, 118 two-bedroom and 42 three-bedroom apartments, as well as 41 townhouses ranging from one to three bedrooms.
The plan also includes on-site parking, landscaped outdoor space and a clubhouse in the centre of the development, which will provide multifunctional space for residents to socialise and exercise. The latter feature is a nod to the site’s former use as home of the Northern Lawn Tennis Association, according to CJM Investment.
The developer has appointed property consultancy CBRE to help it find a delivery partner to bring forward the scheme.
John Dunlop, senior director of CBRE’s UK development and residential team, said; “Having been instructed to work with CJM on this key site in June, it is an excellent result for the team to have secured planning consent to bring it to life.
“The scheme is an ideal size, location and configuration for the current residential market and is set to attract strong interest from potential delivery partners.
“We are looking forward to engaging with interested parties and to seeing the scheme progress in due course.”
Tim Groom, founder and managing director of Tim Groom Architects, added: “The design of the Trafford Bar project provides a great mix of homes centred on a sense of community and neighbourhood, and seeks to diversify the existing housing offer in the area.
“What sets the development apart from others is that the location is fantastic, offering a suburban lifestyle that benefits from being minutes away from city life. With its large open green space, including the on-site Lawn Club, it provides a real focal point for residents to the create their own community.”
The development site has lain vacant and derelict since Arkady Craigmillar, a UK supplier of bakery ingredients and frozen products, relocated to a different Trafford site after the company was acquired by US-based CSM Bakery Solutions in 2013.
The site is close to Trafford Bar Metrolink station and Trafford Council’s £13.4m walking and cycling route, and also has close to links to the A56 and several bus routes.
The scheme was approved by Trafford Council on Thursday, in line with officers’ recommendations. Zerum is the planning consultant for the scheme and Urban Green is the landscape architect and landscape planner.
The area is on the up but this is far too big. Flat should be reserved for town centres, we need more houses.
By Dan
Dan, the city is not formed by one centre, there are mini centres all over, this is situated right next to a metrolink stop. Makes absolute sense to be building slightly higher density here.
By Anon
This is positive, it looks better than most of the other developments around this area and replaces a complete eye sore. With it being so close the tram line it should be perfect for people moving into the area. It says it has town houses as well which is more than most others. Hope it comes to be realised now. This area has needed some investment for years, i hope this attracts more.
By Dave H
Superb development, exactly the kind of stuff we need to be building all over inner city Manchester
By Anonymous
Dan, that is absolute rubbish. This is the inner city and should be high density, the flats however should be bigger sizes so that families can live in them.
By Aaron
A good design. As someone pointed out that it is situated close to a metro stop,, so I would expect taller builds and commercial units. If there is no space for a small park then stick it on a roof(s)..
By Robert Fuller
This isn’t the city, this is Old Trafford, outside of the ring road, there should be not large developments here
By Dan
Old Trafford is the city and the market will dictate what scale of development is right.
By Dan watch
Old Trafford is close to the city centre but it’s not nor ever has been the city centre. Hope this is a success but it will take more than this to help turn this particular area around in my opinion. The office block conversions certainly haven’t had the positive impact people may have hoped for.
By Anon
great area right near to utds ground close to metro 5 mins from Manchester and Salford quays
By Anna
Is there any update on this? Will there be schemes for those of us who live in the area but are slowly being driven out by the ever increasing prices of housing in this area? I.e young people who have grown up in the area since birth and are looking to buy their first homes but are being pushed out due to prices. Might be something to consider.
By TG