Trafford says no to Talbot Road tower
The council has rejected proposals from Capital Builders for a 21-storey apartment block, labelling the scheme “significantly incongruous and discordant within the street scene”.
Capital Builders submitted proposals for the 56-apartment development on the corner of Talbot Road and Chester Road in August.
Trafford Council has now refused the application, citing 13 different reasons.
These include a lack of affordable housing and on-site car parking, and the applicant’s failure to “demonstrate the proposed residential development would deliver suitable living conditions and good standards of residential amenity for prospective occupiers”.
“The proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area nor does it comply with the development plan and therefore does not comprise sustainable development,” Trafford Council’s decision notice states.
Designed by Tang & Associates, the scheme would have seen the site of Tommy’s House of Fires showroom redeveloped.
The ground floor and the first floor were earmarked for commercial space and residents’ facilities. The upper 19 floors would have comprised two one-bedroom apartments, 34 with two bedrooms, 18 three-bedroom duplexes and two four-bedroom properties.
The developer behind the tower, Capital Builders NW, was formed in February 2021 and lists Khalid Mahmood as its sole director.
To find out more about this application, search Trafford Council’s planning portal using reference number 107225/OUT/22.
It is refreshing that Trafford have refused on basis of the quality of apartments – unlike the supposedly staunch Labour Manchester Council who just wave through poor development after poor development without any consideration for residential amenity or quality of life. They have to take the blame for the “race to the bottom” we are now seeing. However, it is a little strange to say this is somehow incongruous with the streetscape given the context of major roads surrounding the site.
By James
Why the focus on car parking? It’s right next to a Metrolink station to Manchester, Altrincham and Didsbury. It’s on a protected cycleway that takes you to Oxford Road, and if Trafford pull their finger out, will also take you up to Sale. It’s also not far from a railway that takes you to Liverpool.
There’s a huge Tesco about 0.7 miles walk away. So why does this development need car parking?
By Trafford resident
“Discordant within the street scene”. The street scene is one of industrial warehouses and general ugliness currently. Is this really what Trafford councils want to preserve?
GM planning departments are contributing in no small way towards the city’s housing crisis with decisions like this
By Anonymous
Also said no to 37 new homes in Davyhulme on an old industrial site
By Anonymous
A bit short sighted from Trafford, but that’s not unusual. I wonder if part of the reason for refusal is the lack of substance in the developer – perhaps a Domis or a Renaker proposal would have had more success?
By Digbuth O'Hooligan
Good. That is blocking the way for a much needed cycleway roundabout like the one they are building on Trafford Road
By Cyclist Lobby
The same council who approved the monstrosities on Panoma island ?
By Anonymous
@James, Labour are the ones who should be encouraging jib creastion and providing homes, it’s the conservatives who should be anti-development
By Phi
@Trafford Resident if they don’t provide car parking then residents will park on surrounding streets, as happens at all developments in Manchester including the city centre
By Phi
13 reasons for refusal is pretty impressive!
By Junior
Quite right this mediocre scheme has been refused – it’s aesthetically dire.
@Phi. This area is by major public transportation networks. If people in these areas want a car to go to the countyside, you hire one.
Also, the ‘Labour Pro-growth, Conservative Anti-growth’ argument is outdated. It’s a more complex picture these days, especially that we have younger Conservatives like Ben Huechen running very pro growth Tees Valley.
By SW
It looks absolutely fine. The scale is perfect and quite an imposing landmark at that location.
If they can sort out the apparent issues with the internal layout and access then it should absolutely be approved.
By Anonymous
Absolutely agree with this decision.
Come and visit Old Trafford and have a walk around the area. This has been a community oriented area with housing for families. Unfortunately for the last 5 years every new “affordable housing” has been flats. Office blocks have been converted into flats. New development are flats. All for those who want access into Manchester.
We need affordable homes for families, those who will contribute to the running and well being of the community.
This new proposal is imposing over homes that are already here. No parking would mean parking around the streets in this area. Parking is a major issue around this area. Residents of west one park their cars on the footpaths and bicycle lanes surrounding this area.
Trafford council need to stop using Old Trafford as place to quickly build high storey flats and say that it’s affordable housing. We need homes for the community.
By Anom
Finally something refused by Trafford council! The proposal was ridiculous for all the reasons stated in the rejection!!!!!
By Old trafford resident
@Anon 3:58
Get real, the wider area may need more houses but how many houses are you going to fit on this site?!
By Anonymous
Poor scheme, wrong location, height doesn’t make sense (why 21 stories) go back and have a good think
By Pablo
As a resident of Old Trafford I agree that the lack of parking is ridiculous- there is a continuous problem with parking on match days or on days when there are concerts on in the Lancashire cricket stadium.
Buildings housing without parking will just congest residential streets.
The entire proposal is absurd.
By Anonymous