Local drivers have been ‘left stranded’, opponents claimed
The car park in Manor Avenue, Urmston(Image: Google)
Houses can be built on an Urmston car park despite concerns from drivers that they had been ‘left stranded’.
The sale of the 74-space site, off Manor Avenue, was agreed by Trafford council in 2024 to make way for new homes. The town hall said the spaces were underused, with just 30 visitors a day on average.
It closed recently, and councillors met last night (Thursday, May 21) to rule on the future of the site. They voted unanimously to approve an application for six new houses on the land.
Click here for our dedicated Makerfield by-election newsletter with exclusive interviews and analysis
The decision comes despite strong opposition from the local community over the loss of parking spaces. Some 41 objections were submitted against the plan.
Opponents included a nearby mental health service which said the change would have a ‘serious and detrimental impact’ on the up to 100 patients who use the clinic each day. A second comment from the same address added: “You have taken away a valuable resource and left people stranded.”
Six new homes will be built on the land, in Manor Avenue, Urmston(Image: Macrane Properties Ltd)
Officers told the committee last night that the car park was already closed, adding: “There doesn’t appear to be any likelihood that, even if planning permission was refused for the houses, the car park would be returned to that use.”
Councillor Waseem Hassan said: “This is an absolutely fantastic scheme and has a lot of economic and social benefits in the area, and we need more and more houses in Trafford anyway. So I fully support this application. Wonderful scheme.”
Councillor Kevin Proctor added: “Generally I think this is a very, very good scheme. There’s no impact on amenity, it’s going to benefit a number of people in the area and it contributes to the housing supply which is something we want to achieve […] The benefits are massive.”
However, some on the committee said thought needed to be given to parking in the area. Labour councillor Simon Thomas said: “I do think it will have reasonable harm to the micro-community in terms of parking.
“I think there are issues that we perhaps do need to look at regarding car parking around Urmston town centre.”
The houses will all be three-storey and three-bed, and will come with driveways and rear gardens for future residents.
Join our new Makerfield by-election WhatsApp community by clicking this link for the latest news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.