Trafford notches up another appeal win
Lok’nStore’s bid to overturn the refusal of a 95,000 sq ft storage facility on the corner of George Richards Way and Davenport Lane in Altrincham has failed.
The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal due to concerns that the development could increase the risk of flooding in the area.
The inspector’s decision notice said the proposal would result in some “modest social, economic, and environmental benefits” but that these would “not outweigh the [flooding] potential harm”
While it was concerns around flooding that ultimately put paid to the proposals, the inspector disagreed with Trafford Council’s assertion that the scheme is “incongruous and physically dominating” – a moral victory that will be of little consolation to the developer.
In conclusion, inspector Beverley Walters said: “The proposal would not have a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area including on the setting of nearby listed buildings.
“However, in the absence of suitable drainage and flood mitigation and management measures, it has not been demonstrated that the proposal would not increase the risk of flooding in the area.”
The site is currently occupied by a former Aldi supermarket. Aldi closed the store in 2020 after opening a larger one at Atlantic Retail Park a short distance away.
Lok’nStore is by no means the first developer to taste defeat against Trafford Council at appeal in recent times.
Care UK, New Care, Acre Manchester, and Jumani Holdings have all had appeals dismissed in the last year.
Disappointing that it’s viewed as a win, development shouldn’t be discouraged in my view. Trafford too long has been one the least progressive Councils in GM
By TJL
TJL: The purpose of planning system is to try to balance a range of issues. To encourage *appropriate* development. If, as appears to be the case as determined by an independent inspector, the harm would outweigh the benefits, then that’s a reason for development to not happen. And if Trafford are winning the majority of their appeals, then that suggests they’re getting it mostly right. If they were losing loads of appeals, then that would be a different matter.
By Unlevelled for balance