Trafford rejects 1m sq ft Carrington industrial
The committee voted against officer recommendation to block Wain Estates’ Junction scheme, citing significant harm caused by the loss of an area of woodland among its reasons for refusal.
The 1m sq ft industrial and logistics development on 78 acres west of Isherwood Road – part of the former Shell petrochemical site in Carrington – features three sheds of 500,000 sq ft, 400,000 sq ft and 80,000 sq ft, as well as 17 acres of open storage space. Plans for the project were lodged in 2022.
Trafford Council’s planning committee debated the scheme for an hour yesterday evening before deciding to reject the plans.
In recommending the project for approval, officers had identified a series of drawbacks but said the pros – job creation, a projected annual £100m GVA boost to the local economy, and a £12m contribution towards the creation of the £130m Carrington Relief Road – outweighed the cons.
However, it became clear early on in the meeting that members of the planning committee felt the scheme would do more harm than good.
The loss of most of a 16-acre area designated as a site of biological importance, harm to landscape character, and harm to visual amenity were among the five reasons for refusal.
The refusal is a blow to Wain Estates and to the delivery of New Carrington, which is earmarked for the creation of more than 5,000 homes and 3.8m sq ft of employment space in Places for Everyone.
Wain Estates, previously known as Himor, is working with Emery Planning and UMC Architects on its proposals.
To learn more about the plans, search for reference number 109755/OUT/22 on Trafford Council’s planning portal.
Clearly a nonsense decsion and an easy slam dunk for Wain at an appeal. Good luck to them (not that they need it).
By Dave
Another Appeal and almost certainly a lost cause for these Councillors at Trafford Council. Hope Wain press for costs.
By Anonymous
So submitted in 2022. Nothing should take that long. Either refuse it as not having enough information or go for non-determination
By Four years
I’m not sure it is an easy one to win at appeal with the loss of 16 acres of woodland and SBI. Why it takes 4 years to get to that decision is more concerning as well as the slow progress on this key site for growth in GM
By Alf Empty
Trafford’s councillors have taken a view – which differs from that of officers – about where the balance of benefit and harm lies. That’s what we elect politicians to do. They haven’t come up with a spurious reason for refusal – but have cited the core issue – whether a couple of warehouses are worth more than a site of biological importance. The developer has created a proposal that is unnecessarily destructive to the plot, sticking rigidly to a target building size, rather than fitting it in around the on-site constraints – which include the woodland. Good design that responds to the site shouldn’t be too much to ask for
By Trafford resident
Sensible decision. There’s plenty more brownfield next to the site to build on, without needing destroy any trees or habitats. Just redraw the red line boundary.
By Swampy
A welcome check on the destruction of Carrington Moss and reflecting the concerns of many who know this area so well and appreciate its natural beauty.
By Anonymous
The artist impression at the beginning is not accurate these buildings will appear three times higher than shown
By John Harper
Thank goodness. Sick of nature being destroyed.
By Anonymous
Typical Socialist council saying no to great deal of money a jobs coming in to Trafford I thought they needed money after bankrupting Trafford
By Anonymous
Rubbish we need the jobs . 1 square mile is just a drop in the ocean.
By Jonathan lumby
Used to be owned by British Gas.
Publicly owned until privatised. Wonder who owns It now?
By Sid
Relived to see that more wood lands are not concreted over. They already sustain us, physically and emotionally.
By SC