Trafford Planning Department has recently received two planning applications for residential development along the canalside – one either side of Edge Lane.

One is for 107 apartments (Council ref: H/OUT/69239), together with a restaurant, parking and moorings.

The other, by Peel Holdings (Council ref: H/69278), is to redevelop the Boatyard with 44 apartments and parking.

Time is running out to send in comments about these applications. If you wish to comment, they can be viewed at the Council Offices, Waterside House, Sale, or on the Trafford Council website: www.trafford.gov.uk/EnvironmentAndPlanning/Planning/Planning-Applications.

We intend to produce a detailed policy statement on these applications, along with the whole issue of the need for strategies for Stretford Town Centre and the Canal Corridor, in the next few days. Watch this website for further developments.

In our opinion, these proposals are inappropriate, excessive and premature. Stretford needs more local employment and facilities for local people – not expensive apartments for commuters, with additional cars competing with Metrolink car parking and the Trafford Centre Bus.

Stretford Town Centre needs a new focus – it is vital to maximise the potential of the canal for the benefit of local residents. We will urge Trafford Council to produce a strategy for the Town Centre and the Canal Corridor – and to give Stretford a new heart. This must be done before any developments are allowed on these key sites.

An application will soon be submitted for another massive development beside the canal near to the Old Trafford football ground. All such applications should be dealt with in the light of a comprehensive planning policy developed in partnership with local residents.

If you feel as we do, please make your opinions known to the Council. The deadline for comments on H/OUT/69239 is the end of May. The deadline for comments on H/69278 is likely to be around June 13th - (although since the Council forgot to put up a site notice we are not exactly sure what this date will be).

It is notable that each application stresses that the impact of its development on traffic will be very small. Of course, if both are allowed, that will double their impact. These applications, along with others along the canalside, should not be determined as “one-offs”, and the Council should be urged to deal with them strategically and refuse the current applications as very much premature.

If you intend to make your views known, we would suggest any one or more of the following measures:

WHAT YOU COULD DO

1. Write a LETTER OF OBJECTION (with reasons) to APPLICATIONS H/69278 and H/OUT/69239 addressed to THE CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER at WATERSIDE HOUSE, SALE, M33 7ZF.

2. Get in touch with YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR and ASK WHAT THEY ARE DOING ABOUT STRETFORD CANALSIDE. Find out how to contact them on www.trafford.gov.uk/councilanddemocracy

3. Email Cllr June Reilly, Executive Member for Environmental Services to ask why there is NO MASTER PLAN FOR STRETFORD CANAL or STRATEGY FOR STRETFORD TOWN CENTRE on june.reilly@trafford.gov.uk

4. ATTEND THE PLANNING COMMITTEE at which the applications will be decided - STRETFORD TOWN HALL, TALBOT ROAD – date to be confirmed.

5. FIND OUT ABOUT THE PETITION STARTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS or HOW ELSE YOU CAN HELP by contacting TRAFFORD GREEN PARTY on 865 6064 or by email: mail@bridget.greenisp.org