Demolition work begins at key Old Trafford regeneration site

Police HQ demolition a ‘major milestone’ for development plans

Work to tear down a former Greater Manchester Police base has begun.

The Old Trafford site is at the heart of a huge development plan which will see up to 1,200 homes there. A 55-bed hotel, new public park, shops and café are also on the cards for the land, off Talbot Road, White City Way and Chester Road.

The site previously housed the Chester House GMP headquarters. However, it has stood empty since the force relocated to Newton Heath in 2012.

More than a decade on, Trafford council has announced that demolition work has now started. The moment has been lauded by the authority as a ‘major milestone’ for the plans to regenerate the land.

Final details for the project are still to be submitted by the authority, with a planning application expected this summer. A public consultation to help shape the proposals closes on Monday, April 6.

Previous public engagement has revealed a number of local priorities for the scheme. The ‘clearest message’ from respondents was the need for ‘better access to green spaces’ in the borough, developer Far East Consortium previously said.

A new public park now forms part of the plan, proposed to be located at the heart of the space.

Traffic is ‘already a challenge’ locally, particularly on matchdays, the developer added. As such, the new neighbourhood is expected to be ‘predominantly car‐free’ in a bid to not add to those pressures. Some 700 bicycle spaces are suggested to be included, as well as a ‘cycle rental hub’ and ‘safe’ walking and cycling routes.

Residents raised access to ‘good health services’ as a priority for them. Far East Consortium said it would be ‘working closely with the NHS’ to ‘understand what health provision the community may need, both now and in the future’.

‘Flexible’ space is proposed within the development where services like a GP surgery could be set up, ‘if required’. This space could also be used for cafés, shops and other business opportunities. Around 25,000sq ft of commercial space is included in the masterplan.

Also in the plan is an ‘up to’ 255-bed hotel to ‘welcome visitors’ to Old Trafford. Some 25pc of the 1,200 new homes would be classed as ‘affordable’ under current intentions. The homes would be a mix of one-, two- and three-bed properties.

The Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall on the land, as well as the historic gateposts from the blind school formerly based there, will both be spared during the demolition phase.

The hall is expected to be converted into a leisure space under current thinking. The site was previously home to women studying deaf education at the University of Manchester, and is considered a key heritage asset in the area.

The development is expected to create around 500 construction jobs, Trafford council has said.

Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration, added: “I am delighted that demolition work has started on this important site. This scheme, if awarded planning permission, will result in 1,200 homes including affordable on a brownfield site.

“It supports Trafford council’s priorities regarding new and affordable housing for the borough.”