Action to tackle unsafe, unfinished, and empty developments in Old Trafford is being backed by Trafford Labour Group.

During the early 2000’s Old Trafford experienced an explosion of development as the growth of Manchester City Centre spread into adjoining areas.

Throughout this period several developments including new flats were built either via the conversion of existing older buildings, the construction of new apartment blocks or a combination of the two.

It emerged, however, that a number of these developments, located in Clifford Ward and one in Longford Ward, were not built to the correct standards while others have only partially been completed leaving in their wake a swathe of structural related problems.

After years of trying to address these issues alongside partners such as the Fire Service, Trafford Council is renewing its efforts by identifying a number of enforcement actions that are being considered to address issues at the following sites;

• Aura Court: Fire Escape and stairwell incomplete with substandard cladding
• Browning Street: Poor construction
• Empress Mill: Incomplete development, sub-standard construction, and partial fire damage
• Trafford Press and Veno Building: Incomplete development, sub-standard construction, and substantial fire damage
• Former Duckworths Essence Building: Landmark Grade ii Listed building empty and in poor repair
• 37 Seymour Grove: Substandard cladding
• 5-33 Northumberland Road: Development impaired by adjacent vacant derelict site

Clifford Ward councillors, Akilah Akinola, Waseem Hassan, and Sophie Taylor, collectively back the recommendations set out in a council executive report that acknowledged the need for decisive action.

They said: “We will not stand by and allow developers to walk away or shirk their responsibilities when it comes to providing safe and secure properties for our residents.  Whilst each site comes with its own issues and action taken on a case-by-case basis, we welcome this renewed effort to tackle unsafe and unsightly buildings in Old Trafford.

“We must send a clear and strong message to those developers who, for whatever reason, have left these buildings uninhabitable that we will not stand by and allow these developments to become even more of a blight on our neighbourhoods. We will support any enforceable action the authority or other leading safety organisations deem appropriate.”

Cllrs Liz Patel, Executive Member for Economy, and Regeneration and James Wright, Executive Member for Housing and Communities are set to table the paper during a meeting of the Executive on Monday 20^th February.

Meanwhile, and in response to safety concerns, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS), has served several Prohibition Notices, which prevent the residential occupation of several of the buildings.

In addition, Old Trafford is also home to several properties that are on the watch list of the Department of Levelling Up Housing & Communities (DLUHC) for high rise buildings with unsafe cladding.

Longford Ward councillors, Sarah Haughey, David Jarman and Judith Lloyd agree with their neighbouring colleagues’ concerns especially regarding the sub-standard cladding on the apartment block on Seymour Grove, adding: “This development is on the DLUHC watch list and we want to see a solution to resolve this matter as swiftly and effectively as possible.

“As ward councillors we appreciate the work that has gone into this report and will also throw our weight behind any necessary enforcement action Council officers recommend.”