Welcome to our vision for the redevelopment of Chester House
Welcome
We’re excited to share our plans for the redevelopment of Chester House – the site of the former Greater Manchester Police Headquarters. Located in Trafford, this vacant brownfield site is ready for a fresh start.
This is a Joint Venture between Far East Consortium, Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The Chester House site sits right in the heart of Trafford’s Civic Quarter, and our plans build on the exciting regeneration already happening across the area. Together, we’re aiming to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhood that celebrates Trafford’s rich heritage while looking ahead to its future.
Introducing our plans for the redevelopment of Chester House
We’re planning to build around 1,200 new homes, with 25% set aside as affordable housing – helping meet the growing need for well-connected, sustainable living in Trafford. But it’s not just about homes. The development will also include:
- Commercial space for shops, cafés and local businesses
- A 250-bed hotel to welcome visitors
- Green public spaces for everyone to enjoy
- Excellent walking, cycling and transport links to Manchester, Salford and beyond
- Sustainability-led design, housing the Civic Quarter Heat Network for low-carbon heating
This new neighbourhood is being designed with the community in mind. We’re focusing on health, wellbeing and placemaking – with plenty of green spaces, thoughtful urban design and strong links to local amenities. It’s all about creating a place that complements the wider regeneration of Trafford.
An untapped location
This site has been vacant since the relocation of the GMP HQ, and offers a unique opportunity to create new homes, jobs and green spaces for Trafford.
Located off Talbot Road, White City Way and Chester Road, this site already offers easy access to Trafford Bar tram stop, providing a 10-minute journey into Manchester city centre and excellent connections to Salford, Manchester Airport and surrounding areas.
Talbot Road (looking East)
Talbot Road (looking North)
Exhibition Walk
Honouring Trafford’s heritage
The Chester House site is deeply connected to the rich history of Trafford, and preserving this heritage is at the heart of the development.
Through thoughtful design and conservation, this project will pay tribute to the site’s past while creating a new legacy for generations to come.
Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall
Once home to women studying deaf education at the University of Manchester, the Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall is a key heritage asset that will be sensitively restored and repurposed as part of the new neighbourhood. The redevelopment will respect the building’s original character while integrating it into a modern, thriving community.
Historic Gateposts from the Former Blind School
The site also retains an important historical link to the former school for the blind, with its original gateposts standing as a symbol of Trafford’s past. These will be preserved within the new public realm, ensuring that history remains a visible and valued part of the future landscape.
Virtual Exhibition
A sustainable, healthy and people-centric community
This redevelopment is rooted in sustainable and community-centric design and will set a new standard for greener urban living across Trafford.
Net zero design
Our plans are being developed support Trafford Council’s and GMCA’s ambitions of becoming carbon neutral by 2038, as well as FEC’s ambitions for sustainable development.
Green spaces
Green infrastructure is at the heart of the Chester House redevelopment. With public spaces, private gardens and green corridors that enhance biodiversity and promote well-being, our aim is to create a vibrant neighbourhood for everyone to enjoy.
Powered by clean energy
Key to this development will be the Civic Quarter Heat Network (CQHN), which will be housed on the site. The CQHN is a pioneering low carbon energy system that supplies heat and power through insulated pipes, which will create cleaner, greener energy for the development’s residents.
Project timeline: building the future, step by step
What happens next?
Meet the partners behind the Chester House redevelopment
This project brings together three key partners, each bringing their own strengths in local leadership, regeneration and large-scale development. By working together, we’re aiming to create a new neighbourhood that really works for the community.
Trafford Council
Trafford Council is committed to regenerating the Civic Quarter and delivering high-quality homes and public spaces that meet the needs of local communities. With a strong focus on sustainability, heritage, and economic growth, the council plays a vital role in ensuring this redevelopment site aligns with Trafford’s long-term vision.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
As the strategic local government body for Greater Manchester, GMCA supports housing, infrastructure, and sustainable development initiatives that improve the region’s quality of life. Their involvement in the redevelopment of Chester House reflects their commitment to delivering innovative, future-ready communities in line with the city-region’s growth plans.
Far East Consortium (FEC)
A leading international property developer, FEC has a strong track record of delivering high-quality, mixed-use developments in the UK and beyond. With over 15,000 homes planned across Greater Manchester, FEC brings expertise in placemaking, sustainable design, and long-term community investment to the Chester House redevelopment.
Get involved with our consultation
Your thoughts and ideas matter to us, and we want to make sure the plans reflect what’s important to local people. Whether it’s something you’re excited about or something you’d like to see done differently, your feedback will help shape the future of the Chester House site.
As such, we’ll be conducting a two-stage consultation. The first phase, which is now live until Monday 8th December, will allow us to gather your initial feedback on our vision for the site. After this phase, we’ll take time to carefully review all the comments and suggestions we receive. These will help us refine the designs before we come back to share the updated proposals with you – and give you another chance to have your say.
Only once we’ve gathered and considered all the feedback will we submit a final planning application to Trafford Council.
Give us your feedback
Please come and meet the team at one of our in-person drop-in events, where you can see our proposals in more detail, ask us questions and tell us what you think.
Where:
Limelight, 1 St Brides Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester, M16 9NW
When:
18 November, 2pm-7:30pm
19 November, 2pm-7:30pm
Keep updated on progress, planning updates, and community engagement opportunities by following our latest news and developments.
Alternatively, if you have a question about our plans, find out more by:
- Complete the feedback form below
- Email us with your comments, questions and/or feedback: ChesterHouseRedevelopment@havingyoursay.co.uk
- Call our community line: 0161 711 0293 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm)
- Write to us: FREEPOST SHAPE TOMORROW
Have your say
Get in touch and tell us what you think about the early vision for the redevelopment of Chester House, by completing the form below.
Please be sure to share your feedback by 8th December 2025 so it can be taken into consideration as part of this consultation.
Far East Consortium is committed to protecting your personal data. The information you provide in this feedback form will be used solely for the purpose of analysing community views on the Chester House redevelopment.
Your responses will be anonymised when reported and included within a Statement of Community Involvement submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Personal details (such as name, postcode, or email address) will not be shared publicly.
If you choose to provide your contact details, these will only be used to keep you informed about the progress of the proposals. You can opt out of updates at any time by contacting us at chesterhouseredevelopment@havingyoursay.co.uk.
All data will be stored securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. By submitting this form, you consent to your information being used in this way.