Empress Conservation Area Regeneration Plan

Overview

Empress Conservation Area was placed on the Heritage at Risk (HAR) register in  2012.  It was described as being in a ‘very bad’ and ‘deteriorating’ condition, and highly vulnerable. 

On 20th February 2023, a report was taken to the Council’s Executive identifying long-standing issues with stalled development sites in Old Trafford, including those in the Empress Conservation Area.  Working with Homes England and Historic England the Council secured grant funding to create a Conservation Area Regeneration Plan (CARP)

Led by external consultants, the plan builds on previous studies to tackle decline, vacancy and erosion of character in the area.  Its aim is to drive heritage-led regeneration by restoring and reusing vacant key buildings; engaging the community with local heritage, and promoting high-quality, place-making through clear planning and design guidance.  These objectives are intended to benefit residents, site owners, businesses and external partners.

This second round of public consultation seeks the views of the public and consultees on the proposed Empress Conservation Area Regeneration Plan and its adoption as an SPD.

 The document comprises three sections:

1. Regeneration Plan - an overarching framework setting out the vision for the area.
2. A revised and updated Empress Conservation Area Appraisal and Empress Conservation Area Management Plan, including a draft Article 4 Direction to remove some permitted development rights for residential and commercial buildings in order to arrest the erosion of architectural features and historic character.
3. Empress Design Code which focuses on the Conservation Area and includes plot codes for four key devleopment sites within the area.