A huge tide of protest is rising against plans for a £37million scheme for 104 posh new homes in the centre of one of Greater Manchester's most "des res" towns. Proposals have been tabled for the new houses - some of which are projected to sell for £600,000-plus - in the middle of Altrincham.
Consultants working alongside applicant Trafford Housing Trust (THT) have advised that there should be no affordable housing element to the new homes projected for New Street. The narrow street where Victorian cottages adorn both sides is already plagued by motorists using it as a "rat run" and driving at "ridiculous speeds", say residents.
Now, they are furious at plans which they say will obliterate a "precious green area" as well as parking spaces for people who have lived there for years. Residents, who lost their bid to prevent a multi-storey car park being built on their doorstep recently, fear planners are turning the area into "an urban jungle".
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Prices of two-up-two-down terraced properties on the street have soared to nearly £400,000 because of Atrincham's popularity as a destination for its booming nightlife at the weekend. The plans submitted to Trafford Council are for 26 terraced houses and 78 apartment blocks in three blocks, four to five storeys high with access and car parking.
First, existing social flats which date back to the 1960s and which are deemed "not viable" to renovate must be demolished, with current residents migrating out to other THT properties. About 40 residents who are part of a New Street WhatsApp group are already up in arms about the plans as is the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society.
Paulina Lewis, vice chair of the society, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the plans were "totally inappropriate". She said: "The aim of housing well over 500 people is too much. The site will be overloaded with multi-storey apartment blocks and houses.
"There is limited communal space [in the plans] for the apartments. Parking is [already] a severe problem, made worse of the [potential] loss of parking on New Street for residents of cottages on the opposite side of the road." She said that the applicants "seem to be unaware" that the proposed access road, fronting what are currently garages, provides access to neighbour properties in Osbourne Place. This would be blocked off, she said.
"The plan shows two rows of houses to be built there incorporating the green area, which currently has a healthy flowering cherry tree - known locally as New Street Green - and a bench where strangers regularly sit and chat. This area was designated as part of The Downs Conservation Area which was extended in 2013."
One of the residents, Angela Fontes, accused planners of "turning Altrincham into an urban jungle". "It's a classic case of massive overdevelopment," she said. Zoe Stott, a 34-year-old mother of one, lives opposite the planned homes and said at weekends she dares not move her car from outside her New Street home for fear of losing her space to visitors to the town.
"I've lived here for 14 years and this is the only time I've considered moving away," she said. "Parking here is already a nightmare, so it this goes ahead it's going to be multiple times worse. I think it's very worrying that they are thinking of building family homes with spaces - at the most - for one car per family.
"By definition, modern families - particularly ones who can afford to live there - will have two cars at least." Retired Sue Redford, who once worked as a representative for residents of the current THT flats, said: "Whatever you think of those flats they currently have areas where children can play.
"The planned development doesn't. It's clear that there is not enough parking provision for people who would live there or for people who may visit them." David Kay, who lives in one of Osbourne Place properties likely to be affected, said: "This a very bad plan and they need to go back and think again. I don't think it's been thought through properly."
Meanwhile, the loss the green space will be "heartbreaking" for resident Mary Hughes, 77, who, say her neighbours, has diligently maintained the flowers, plants and lawn area of the green area. "To lose this would be a tragedy for the neighbourhood," said Mary. "I have gardened this with love and care and if they take it away it would be an enormous loss to the local community.
"It's where strangers will sit down and talk to each other - and that's fantastic." Another resident is Andrew Tattersall, 57.
He said: "It's a case of overdevelopment. And if you look at the planning application, for me, the financials don't stack up. The townhouses are expected to sell for £600,000 each, and there is the recommendation that there is no affordable housing."
David Jacobs, 57, has lived in New Street for 27 years. He said: "We are taking a pragmatic view. We know we are not going to stop development here, as crazy as that might seem.
"It seems to be that everyone wants to live here. It's like Altrincham is becoming the victim of its own success." Neighbour Louise Padmore said it was believed THT and Trafford Council were putting "profit ahead of people". "That's ironic when you consider that Trafford is Labour controlled," she said.
Fellow New Street resident Keith McCoy, 48, works as a mental health professional. He said people's wellbeing was already being affected by the volume of traffic using the road as a rat run.
He went on: "With the number of children and elderly people who walk down this road, it's amazing there hasn't been a serious accident with the number of cars that come flying along here. "Honestly, I don't think the authorities are taking road safety seriously. It's causing a lot of frustration, anxiety and worry."
Property company CBRE has been appointed by THT to "objectively assess" and report on the "financial viability of the proposed development of the proposed site". It estimates the overall value at £36.7million with construction costs of £17.7million.
The report concludes: "It is deemed appropriate that Trafford Council applies the flexibility provided within its Local Plan policies and, as supported by national planning policy and guidance, it is recommended that the proposed development does not contribute any affordable housing or sums towards planning obligations [known as Section 106 agreements where developers contribute towards public realm and community assets]."
Ben Townsend, director of developer at Trafford Housing Trust, part of L&Q, said: “The overarching vision and plan for the New Street development is to have a mix of home types and tenures, 45 per cent of which will be affordable. We have consistently shared this aim with customers, residents and stakeholders through a series of public consultations and correspondence. Grant funding for the affordable homes will be secured when planning permission has been obtained.
“The New Street development is a vital part of the regeneration of the town centre and plays a key role in upgrading the quality and choice of affordable housing in the area. The proposals include the provision of a landscaped public realm area with benches, which aims to reinstate the historic line of Chapel Street and to improve the setting of the memorial to the ‘Bravest Little Street in England’.
“Tackling the housing crisis is a top priority for Trafford Housing Trust, and ultimately this programme will create more and better homes in Altrincham.”
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