More than 500 jobs will be created
Voltage Park will be built on a former gas distribution station and storage site in Carrington(Image: Google Earth)
A huge industrial development can now be built after Trafford council backed down on previous cash requirements.
Phase two of the Voltage Park employment scheme, in Carrington, was rejected by the town hall in late 2024 after applicant BlackRock declined to put up £14.6m in financial contributions to the area.
Two new buildings covering 450,000 sq ft were proposed for the former gas distribution station and storage site. In all, Voltage Park is expected to have five business units spread over 630,000 sq ft.
Trafford council wanted the money in part to help build a new relief road for Carrington. BlackRock labelled the demand ‘not necessary, reasonable or proportionate’ and appealed the refusal.
Documents now reveal that the council’s position fell apart under cross-examination. The authority ultimately opted not to defend its original decision.
Further concerns had been raised by the council over the environmental impact of the proposed development and whether it might harm “critical” pipelines located on the site. Trafford town hall has agreed those matters can be mitigated through planning conditions.
The scheme is expected to bring with it more than 500 local jobs, bosses say. BlackRock has also agreed to carry out improvements to the roads near the site to help them cope with additional traffic.
These are to include widening work and signal improvements at the Flixton Road roundabout, and the creation of a left-turn lane at the Carrington Lane junction. In all, around £1m will be made in financial contributions by the developer.
Planning inspector B Davies said: “Over 500 jobs would be created on a site allocated in a recently adopted development plan for employment use. The scheme would also secure redevelopment of a large previously developed site, consistent with local policy. These are both matters to which I afford substantial beneficial weight.”
A spokesman for Trafford Council said: “The council is naturally disappointed with the outcome of the appeal. The council remains committed to delivering necessary infrastructure at Carrington which is vital to the existing communities at Carrington and Partington. Developments which provide no or minimal contributions to infrastructure undermine its ability to do so. We are currently considering our options.”