Trafford refuses 95,000 sq ft storage facility 

Lok’nStore’s plans to redevelop the former Aldi site in Broadheath have suffered a setback after the council said the project was too big. 

In refusing planning permission for the 95,000 sq ft storage facility, Trafford Council said the scheme economic, social and environmental conditions of the area “would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area”. 

Lok’nStore applied late last year to redevelop the near one-acre plot on the corner of George Richards Way and Davenport Lane. 

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’s planning consultant Rapleys claimed that the height of the development was “considered to be in context with its surroundings, and therefore acceptable”.  

Following concerns from officers during pre-application discussions, Lok’nStore reduced the height of the building by two metres to 16.8 metres. 

However, this reduction was not sufficient to appease Trafford Council. 

The authority said the building would “appear incongruous and physically dominating within the street scene” and “adversely impact upon key views” of heritage assets. 

To learn more about the project, search for reference number 106791/FUL/21 on Trafford Council’s planning portal.