Plans to turn an Altrincham office block into more than 60 apartments were lavished with praise as councillors gave them the go-ahead.

The council's Planning and Development Management Committee met last week to make a decision on proposals for Clarendon House.

Included in the plans is the addition of two storeys to the old office block, which CitiHaus bought from Trafford Council and Bruntwood back in 2018.

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The proposals then suggest to turn it into a total of 68 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, of which almost half are described as affordable homes.

Previously, two applications for the same site were approved, one for 42 apartments, then another for 60 apartments.

Councillors were recommended to approve this application too, subject to confirmation of the number of affordable homes, which are all for shared ownership, and a contribution of more than £250,000 towards primary and secondary school places in the area.

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A report to the committee reads: "The development is considered to result in minor harm to the setting of The Station Hotel and 42 Stamford New Road and also to Stamford New Road Conservation Area and negligible harm to Old Market Place Conservation Area.

"However it is considered that the public benefits of the scheme would outweigh the level of harm identified," it adds.

In the discussion last week, Cllr Daniel Bunting said: "Clarendon House isn't the most beautiful building in Trafford.

"This is a significant improvement."

Cllr Michael Welton added: "How fantastic it is to create a beautiful building out of what is really ugly at the moment.

"Given what you've got to work with, I think the designers deserve to be complimented.

"When people come out of Altrincham Station for the first time, it makes a real statement.

"Altrincham isn't just a market town, it's about the whole town centre."

After a discussion, councillors approved the application unanimously.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.