A bid to turn a historic Trafford pub into new homes has hit an early snag, with council officers refusing prior approval for the scheme.
Proposal for Old Cock pub
The former Old Cock Pub and Hotel on Chester Road in Stretford was built in 1880, replacing an earlier auction house. In the 2000s, the building housed a printing company but has stood vacant for 'several years', according to planning documents, which describe it as a 'fantastic old historic building in need of a new use'.
Applicant Ameena Khan sought permission to convert the venue into 11 apartments, with external alterations limited to new windows for some units and the flats configured around the existing internal layout. Mrs Khan called the plan an 'opportunity to breathe new life into the building' and applied to Trafford council for prior approval, which would have allowed the development without a full planning application.
Council objections
However, planning officers raised concerns about the lack of a noise assessment, noting the building is 'in close proximity' to commercial and industrial sites. Without it, the applicant 'failed to demonstrate that suitable internal noise levels can be achieved', they ruled.
Officers also pointed to the absence of a lighting assessment. Several flats would rely only on skylights for windows, and the amount of natural light would be 'limited'. As a result, they refused to grant prior approval for the scheme.
