Plans for 84 new homes on former court site are approved
Plans to build more than 80 new market sale and affordable homes on the site of the former magistrates’ court in Sale have been given the go ahead by Trafford Council.
© Trafford Council
The Council’s planning committee approved the application to build 84 properties, including 21 affordable homes, on the one-hectare site off Ashton Lane and Washway Road.
The development will include a new public realm and the planting of new trees, with the council stating that both bring social, economic and environmental benefits to a “superb urban setting” with excellent transport links.
The scheme will deliver accommodation providing additional ground floor living space for future residents, creating much-needed new, high quality energy efficient homes in the borough.
The plans for the homes include the addition of solar panels to both front and rear elevations with battery storage to reduce future energy bills for residents with the use of renewable energy. This supports the Council’s corporate priorities of addressing the climate crisis and providing a thriving economy and homes for all.
The council purchased the site, situated on a key arterial route within the borough, from Homes England to redevelop the land and to provide new residential properties that sit close to the town centre.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “I am delighted this application has been approved by our planning committee. The Sale Magistrates’ court housing development is a flagship scheme and meets the Council’s policy of building more housing on brownfield sites, with 25 per cent affordable homes in line with prevailing planning policies.
“The amended application focuses on the delivery of energy efficient homes in response to the demand highlighted in the recent Housing Needs Assessment. There is a terrible shortage of housing nationally, and we are pushing ahead and building as many new and affordable homes as we can across the borough. These new homes are a great example of how we can regenerate our brownfield sites.”
Trafford Council took ownership of the site back in 2018 and we reported last year that it had chosen to change contractors after work had begun on-site. While the council celebrates its planning approval, the local reaction has been less positive.
Residents have raised concerns about the impact of the new housing development on already stretched local services, including schools, GP surgeries, and dental practices. With many schools in the area already oversubscribed and lengthy waiting times for NHS appointments, locals are questioning how infrastructure will keep pace with the growing population. They are calling for assurances that investment in essential services will accompany the increase in housing to prevent further strain on the community.
Local developer PIC Homes, who recently completed Phase 1 of The Saplings development in Timperley, are delivering the scheme. PIC will work alongside an experienced team of Trafford-based contractors.
Co-owners of PIC Homes, Armaan Chohan and David Strettle, are delighted to be delivering the project. A spokesperson for the company said: “We are really pleased to be working with Trafford Council to develop this site into much needed family homes. Armaan lived in Sale for 15 years and is a former Ashton-on-Mersey School pupil, so it feels special to be able to give back to the local area.”
Katie Daniels, Director of Euan Kellie Property Solutions, said: “We are pleased to have successfully guided this Section 73 application through the planning process on behalf of Trafford Council and PIC Homes. Building on the foundations of the original permission, CODA Architects—working closely with Trafford Council officers—has refined the proposals to ensure the delivery of high-quality homes on this long-stalled site.
“It is incredibly rewarding to play a pivotal role in updating the consent to unlock this residential development in the heart of Sale. The scheme will provide sustainable, well-designed and energy-efficient homes, including affordable housing and a pocket park, bringing lasting benefits to the local community.”
