Plans for new waterfront communities in Trafford and Scotland progress

Our plans to transform brownfield waterfront sites into thriving and sustainable mixed-use communities are moving forward with the start on site in Trafford, Greater Manchester and the approval of plans in Glasgow.

In October, we marked breaking ground at our 55-acre Trafford Waters development at TraffordCity near the Manchester Ship Canal and The Trafford Centre.

When complete, the 20-year masterplan is estimated to create over 5,000 jobs, 3,000 homes, a new primary school, offices, hotels and around 20 acres of public open space. First phase infrastructure work has begun, supported by a Homes England grant which we’ve match-funded to help unlock the first 350 homes.

Housing association Trafford Housing Trust (THT) and specialist care provider Montpelier Estates have submitted plans to build the first of these homes.

THT’s proposals feature an 83-bed development with affordable homes available for shared ownership (subject to Homes England funding) while Montpelier Estates has plans for an 82-bed care home for older people and those with dementia.  A range of community facilities will also be provided within the care home.

Planning decisions on the THT and Montpelier Estates proposals are expected in early 2023 with start on sites to follow in the spring/summer.

At Glasgow Waters on the River Clyde , plans for a river walkway, public open space 1,100-homes, a hotel and leisure facilities  were approved by Glasgow City Council last month and expected to get underway in summer next year.

The Yorkhill Quay scheme will provide homes for market rent, build to rent and co-living alongside a 200-bed hotel, commercial space and 2,500 square metres of land for leisure use including an adventure golf attraction.

It will help to connect neighbourhoods in Partick and Finnieston as well as the riverfront between key tourist attractions with walkways and cycleways along a new waterfront promenade. A series of ‘River Rooms’ can also be used as public space with panoramic views of the waterfront.

Plans are also underway to connect buildings at Glasgow Waters to a new low carbon heat network which could include the proposed Therme Scotland health and wellbeing spa resort, the second of Therme Group’s world class wellbeing resorts to be built in the UK.

Trafford Waters and Glasgow Waters are two of seven Peel Waters regeneration schemes across the country including Liverpool Waters, Wirral Waters, Manchester Waters, Chatham Waters and MediaCity at Salford Quays. Together they have a development pipeline of around 30,000 homes, 10 million sq ft of commercial space and circa 160 acres of public realm over the next 20 to 25 years.

More about THT’s plans and Montpelier Estates' proposals.