Plans to convert an "ugly" 1970s office block in Altrincham town centre into 68 apartments have been approved. The scheme will see the mainly vacant Clarendon House joined with a separate former library building, each with the addition of two more storeys.
That will make the former library five storeys high while Clarendon House will be nine. Trafford's planning and development management committee gave the plan the go-ahead "subject to appropriate conditions".
These are that 45 per cent of the scheme is an affordable housing scheme, comprising 31 homes. The applicant Citihaus - a company set up by the directors of Manchester-based developer Factory Estates - must also make a financial contribution of £257,128 towards the provision of primary and secondary school places.
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Citihaus must also begin the development on Stamford New Road within the next three years. The scheme includes new windows, cladding, balconies, alterations to shopfronts and a new entrance lobby at ground level, parking and landscaping.
Planning officers told the committee in documents that the development is considered to result in "minor harm" to the neighbouring Station Hotel and 42 Stamford New Road and also to Stamford New Road Conservation Area and negligible harm to Old Market Place Conservation Area. But they went on to say: "However, it is considered that the public benefits of the scheme would outweigh the level of harm identified."
And they added: "The council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply thus the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies and the titled balance is engaged. When the tilted balancing exercise is carried out the benefits of the scheme significantly outweigh any harm which would arise."
Councillors on the committee welcomed the scheme. Coun Edward Bunting said: "I think this is quite a good design. Clarendon House is not exactly the most beautiful building in Trafford."
Altrincham ward councillor Michael Welton agreed, saying: "I welcome this development. How fantastic it is to create what I do think is quite a beautiful building out of what is really quite ugly. The designers should be complimented.
"This could actually lead the regeneration of Stamford New Road and when people come out of Altrincham station and see the building, it will make a real statement."
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However, although Coun Laurence Walsh welcomed the fact that there would be 45 per cent shared ownership affordable homes, there was no provision in the scheme for the Government's First Homes scheme which is part of Trafford's housing policy. This allows first-time buyers to buy homes for 30 to 50 per cent of the market value.
Coun Walsh said: "I know the building has been [mainly] empty for seven years. But we don't really want to fall into the trap of saying we can't have our social housing because the developer needs to get the thing built. This policy is not meaningless.
"First homes are needed. I would love young couples to have a home at Clarendon House. Our policies are there for a reason. I just think it could be better."
Chair Ben Hartley said he shared Counc Walsh's concerns. "It's regrettable that there is no social affordable rented sector provision. But shared ownership is what is in demand in the particular location. I like the scheme and I am quite excited about it."
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