PEEL Holdings has backtracked on plans to build a pub at Stretford Marina and will now move forward with the development of an apartment block instead.

Trafford councillors have given the green light for the 17 apartments at the Bridgewater Canal-side site despite expressing regret at the news the anticipated public house would not materialise.

Developers, Peel Land and Property who received outline planning permission for the marina in 2001 including a chandlery, pub/restaurant and residential development said a 16-month marketing campaign to find a potential owner for the pub had proven unsuccessful.

And as a result they had amended the plans to include another part two- part three-storey block of flats.

Councillor Mike Cornes, said: "I'm not happy with it. I'd like to see a further period of marketing and see it develop as originally stated."

Seventeen letters of objection were received raising concerns including the failure to comply with the original planning permission, the fact there were already a large number of flats in the marina, that a three-storey block would be out of keeping with the surrounding area and would spoil the view of the marina.

But the developers assured the committee the new build would be sympathetic to the area while pointing out they had outstanding permission for a further 17 dwellings.

Case law also demonstrated it was not necessary for all aspects of a mixed-use development scheme listed in outline permission to be provided in subsequent applications.

Cllr Laurence Walsh, said: "Stretford is crying out for a restaurant but I am satisfied Peel Holdings have marketed this the best they could. We have no choice but to allow houses to be built on it."