There are major housing and business developments in the pipelines for Trafford in the year ahead.
It follows the March approval of Greater Manchester’s landmark Places for Everyone scheme, which has plotted the planning strategy for the city region in the next 15 years.
Here are some of the developments we can expect to be hearing about in 2025.
TraffordCity Ice Arena
A new ice rink is planned for the emerging TraffordCity, it was announced in January 2024. It will be called TraffordCity Ice Arena and will be one of the biggest venues in the country. The state-of-the-art ice rink will also convert into a multi-use event space, developers say.
It will be built next to Chill Factore and iFLY. The three-acre development will be located on the former Soccer Dome site which was cleared by Peel Waters last year in preparation for future leisure developments.
Peel says more details and images of the proposed venue will be released closer to the time when they submit plans to Trafford council.
The site also promises a range of food and drink offerings, including grab-and-go options, a ‘stylish’ family dining restaurant and a high-end sports bar.
Meanwhile work on Therme Manchester, the UK’s first city-based spa and water park resort has begun, and it is scheduled to open in 2027.
100 affordable homes in Partington
Millbank Lock development, Partington
(Image: Countryside Homes)
Trafford council’s pledge to ‘level-up’ the borough by boosting development in the outlying Partington community continued with the announcement in February that there would be nearly 100 affordable homes being built as part of a development at Millbank Lock.
It will take shape during 2025, but will not be completed until 2026. Town hall bosses say the objectives behind the scheme are to help people out of poverty and address the climate crisis.
Trafford Wharfside
Aerial view of the Trafford Wharfside site
(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Ambitious plans to regenerate a huge area next to the Manchester Ship Canal got the go ahead in February. The draft masterplan went out to consultation with the aim of shaping the emerging neighbourhood over the next 15 years alongside major landowning partners including Peel, Manchester United and Salford council.
Included in the plans are 5,000 high-quality new homes, connecting Trafford Wharfside to Manchester city centre as Manchester United begins development plans for their new world class football stadium.
Manchester Waters
A scheme for 159 homes in two blocks – with a rooftop terrace – between the Bridgewater Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal, was given the green light by Trafford’s planners in March. One, two and three-bed apartments will be split across two buildings, overlooking both historic canals.
Peel Waters will make a financial contribution equivalent to 20 per cent affordable in the borough and further contributions would be made towards green spaces and schools in the local area.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-waters-plans-159-waterside-28732419
Victoria Warehouse
Councillors gave the green light for an extra 200 rooms and a huge new conferencing and events space at Victoria Warehouse, in the shadow of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. Also now in the pipeline is a seven-storey car park to help serve the central two-storey arena which is used as a concert venue.
One member of Trafford’s planning committee described the plan as ‘one of the most important designs to come to the borough for a long time’.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/plans-extra-200-rooms-huge-28982279
Trafford Waters
In June, XI Developments were given the go-ahead for the third residential development at the emerging Trafford Waters district, and the creation of 208 ‘high-quality homes’.
Two buildings will reach eight and 13 storeys high, adjacent to Trafford Way, with the larger building incorporating a waved design, creating a striking gateway development to Trafford Waters. A range of public green spaces, including a new linear park, tree-lined boulevards and play streets.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/another-200-homes-approved-huge-29378409
Bridgeworks in Altrincham
How Bridgeworks apartments will eventually look. Image: Jeffrey Bell Architects
An ambitious plan to convert the near 200-year-old Bridgeworks warehouse building on the southern bank of the Bridgewater Canal in Altrincham was given the go-ahead.
A scheme for 21 homes which had been approved expired in 2007, but now 32 apartments will take shape after the three-storey building is partially demolished, following planning approval in August.
New cinema in Sale
Northern Light Cinema. Image: Bryony Mundin
Cinema enthusiasts in Sale got some welcome news when it was announced a new luxury independent cinema would be the first new picture house in the town for nearly 40 years. In October, Trafford’s planners approved an application for the change of use from a former WH Smith outlet into a three-screen movie theatre. The retail unit in Stanley Square will soon become The Northern Light Cinema. Two screens will accommodate 57 seats and the other screen will house 39.
Curzon Cinema
Councillors on Trafford’s planning committee welcomed plans to convert the Art Deco-style Curzon Cinema in Urmston into a community space. The building will be used by the Christian Revival Church who are creating a mixed-use auditorium and events space for community, educational purposes and a place of worship along with offices and a coffee shop.
One councillor described the planning application in October as ‘phenomenal’ and highlighted measures taken by the religious organisation to make the building accessible, including the installation of a lift.
An Eruv in Hale Barns
Controversial plans to erect a series of poles to create an area in Hale and Hale Barns where orthodox Jews can move freely on the sabbath – known as an Eruv – were approved in November. The 52 street poles will appear at 26 sites in the area so that young and elderly members of the orthodox community can move around.
They are restricted to their homes by Jewish law, unable to push wheelchairs, prams, walking frames, carrying keys or medication between public and private areas between sunset on Fridays until nightfall on Saturdays, known as Shabbat.
Stretford town centre
Lacy Street in Stretford town centre.
(Image: Google Maps)
The redevelopment of Stretford town centre is continuing at pace with plans to open up the once-bustling King Street thoroughfare. Segments of the roof of the Stretford Mall are being removed and plans for 53 family homes on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office are set to come forwards as part Trafford council’s joining venture with Bruntwood, forged five years ago. A planning application should be submitted early in 2025.