Property group submits plans for Altrincham development

MCR Property Group has submitted new plans for a new-build apartment and townhouse scheme on Wharf Road in Altrincham.

Following a public consultation in late 2018, the Manchester-based developer intends to build a mixed-height scheme of 49 new homes on vacant brownfield land adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal.

The two- to five-storey blocks will comprise 44 units available as 16 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom apartments. The site will also include five three-bedroom townhouses.

All of the high specification homes will be built using a mixture of brick types that stay sympathetic to the aesthetic of the surrounding area.

Alongside 57 on-site car parking spaces for residents, including five electric vehicle charging points, five accessible spaces and eight for visitors, MCR Property Group is also providing secure storage for 50 bicycles.

Nick Lake, asset manager of MCR Property Group, said: “We listened very carefully to the feedback from local residents and the planning committee in order to draw up our final plans, which we feel bring much-needed homes to Altrincham in a way that is sympathetic to the whole community.

“Our revised plans have seen us halve the number of apartments in the scheme, while our large cycling storage provision will encourage residents out of their cars to ease any additional pressure on local transport infrastructure.

“We’re hopeful these new plans will inject further life into this desirable canalside location.”

Under the new plans, many of the apartments will offer enviable views of the canal, or a fully-landscaped internal courtyard, while the townhouses will benefit from front gardens and private roof spaces.

An existing brick warehouse on the site bordering the waterway will be demolished to accommodate the scheme.

Wharf Road is within walking distance of Altrincham town centre and its key transport links – bus, rail and Metrolink – into Manchester.

Designed by Leach Rhodes Walker architects, the professional team also includes Savills as planner and Enzygo as transport planner and ecological consultant.

Rob Haslam, director at Savills, said: “The development will bring much-needed new homes to this area of Altrincham, making the best use of this canalside location and former council depot.

“We believe the new application addresses many of the concerns raised previously by local residents and look forward to working with council officers to deliver this development in this key part of Trafford.”

Christian Gilham, director at Leach Rhodes Walker, said: “This revised, lower-scale building will enhance the canalside location to the benefit of existing and new residents.

“The buildings use complementary brick facades with strong detailing and large areas of glazing making high quality homes in this desirable area of Altrincham.

“The building is broken down in scale to appear as a series of smaller blocks, and more directly relates to the scale of the adjoining homes.”