Stretford Town Centre masterplan receives outline planning approval

Bruntwood and Trafford Council have been given the green light to commence their ambitious town centre regeneration project in Stretford.  

The multi-million pound outline planning application was submitted at the end of 2021 following an extensive period of consultation with the local community. 

The approved plans will set the parameters for future redevelopment, which will provide places to play, work, eat, shop and live in Stretford town centre as part of the wider Stretford Masterplan and the Area Action Plan (AAP). 

There are further proposals to provide up to 800 homes around Stretford Mall, St Matthews Church and Lacy Street car park, which will include affordable housing and bring much-needed new homes to the area. 

With both sustainability and the high street at the heart of the masterplan, the plans centre around creating people-friendly spaces and new pedestrian routes into and around the town centre, to enhance the flow of footfall around the area.

More green meeting areas will be created with public squares and open spaces, including a green biodiversity corridor and ‘Central Park’ at the heart of the town centre through to a much improved Bridgewater Canal waterside experience. 

This outline planning approval will be followed in due course by a series of Reserved Matters applications for each stage of development. The first will be for the detailed King Street proposals, which is expected to be submitted shortly. It includes proposals for the historic King Street to be reinstated to provide a thriving high street, as well as improved transport links, pedestrianised streets, more greenery and open spaces, and a reconfigured town centre.

A new covered market hall is also planned, which will create a home for retailers and eateries, bar areas and outdoor seating to boost the local evening economy, spilling out into a new south-facing community space, which will feature a covered shopping area aimed at local independent businesses.

Bruntwood, along with Trafford Council, has a strong track record of town centre regeneration. Its purpose of ‘creating thriving cities’ recognises the need for continuous investment in the town centres that surround them to help each other succeed. The focus of Bruntwood’s work around reviving town centres is ensuring social, economic and environmental sustainability and creating a space that is dynamic, inspirational and futureproof. 

The aim of these reinvigorated town centres is to evolve collaboration between residents and businesses to create inclusive and social hubs that add vibrancy to the whole community.

Andrea George, town centre and consumer brands director at Bruntwood, said: “Undertaking such an extensive consultation period with the local community allowed us to create a masterplan that provides for the people of Stretford and its surrounding areas, so we are very pleased that it has been given approval allowing us to start the process of breathing new life into the town centre.

“Through these plans, the high street will become the beating heart of the town and create a dynamic and entrepreneurial district that promotes collaboration and community. It’s fantastic to have achieved this milestone so that we can now move ahead with our plans and start delivering a positive evolution of Stretford for its people.”

Cllr Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “The planning approval is a huge milestone for Trafford Council as we can now start work to redevelop the town centre for the whole community to enjoy. The Stretford Masterplan is a huge moment in our long-term collaborative partnership, and it’s a pleasure to work towards a shared vision and goals with Bruntwood and the local community who were involved every step of the way.

“These exciting plans will significantly improve connectivity, create valuable green and open spaces, and special places for people to gather and interact. With the high street at the centre of the plans, the masterplan will also help attract local independent businesses and exciting retail and hospitality brands, while hugely enhancing the lives of residents and visitors. We are very proud to be giving this incredible scheme the green light.”

The design team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Exterior Architecture, Avison Young and Civic Engineers.