Cole Waterhouse has submitted a planning application for the former Hilti HQ site, off Trafford Wharf Road in Stretford, following a public consultation programme on the developer’s plans.

The vision for Trafford Wharf is to deliver a mixed-use development on the brownfield site which will incorporate 438 built to rent apartments including 20% affordable homes for Trafford residents, 419 purpose-built student beds and a 24,057 sq ft new higher education facility with teaching space, offices, a range of student amenities and an on-site café.

Cole Waterhouse’s plans represent a multi-million-pound contribution to the local economy, with the creation of over 1,300 jobs during construction and nearly 300 during operation. The scheme will provide over £1.6m in s106 planning contributions and has a GDV of approx. £200m.

Designed by Chapman Taylor, the scheme would feature two residential towers and include on-site amenities, extensive new landscaped public spaces as well as flexible commercial space at ground level. The 2.2 acre plot is located within Trafford Council’s Wharfside regeneration zone which aims to transform the area, delivering up to 5,000 new homes and a new stadium for Manchester United.

Commenting on the plans for Trafford Wharf Simon Gallanders, managing director of Cole Waterhouse residential said:

“This game-changing project would help to transform this well-known brownfield site into a thriving new community. It would deliver hundreds of new homes helping to address the acute need for more affordable properties in Trafford.

“In addition, there has been significant growth in Manchester’s student population in recent years with estimates of a shortfall of up to 4,000 student beds. Trafford Wharf is well located with highly sustainable transport links to the education campuses in Salford and Manchester. It is the perfect location to provide top of the range student accommodation to help meet that need and we believe our plans will make a significant contribution to the continued regeneration of the wider area.”

Cole Waterhouse exchanged contracts to acquire the site from Hilti in April for an undisclosed sum and as part of the conditional purchase agreement the planning application is a joint submission with Hilti, which if successful, would see Hilti conclude their involvement in the scheme.

Paul Butler Associates is acting as planning consultant for the scheme Project Manager (TSA Riley), Quantity Surveyors/Cost Consultant (Russell Bolton Consulting), Structural Engineers (XO Square), M&E Engineers (Watt WECE) and Proximity delivered daylight/sunlight consultancy.