Trafford council has issued orders to the owners of two derelict pub sites, the Robin Hood Hotel in Stretford and Altrincham North Lodge in Timperley West, to clean up the buildings and land amid anti-social behaviour concerns. Both sites have stood empty for years, fallen into disrepair, and attracted trespassers and anti-social behaviour, with fires reported at both this year.
Court action and fines
The authority took Ali Zolghadriha, director of Manchester Developments Ltd, to court after he failed to comply with a previous untidy land notice requiring maintenance and repairs at the Robin Hood Hotel on Barton Road. The work was not undertaken, and Mr Zolghadriha and the company were fined £21,890, including a victim surcharge and prosecution costs, after pleading guilty to failure to comply. This is the second fine for the company; it was ordered to pay £1,635 in August 2024 for not adhering to the notice served in 2024.
Redevelopment plans for Robin Hood Hotel
Plans have been submitted to Trafford council to redevelop the Robin Hood site into seven flats, with eight houses on the existing car park. This follows an unsuccessful 2020 planning bid for 11 flats and nine houses, which was withdrawn in 2022 after the council raised concerns, including about the planned use of the pub basement for flats with limited natural light and the proposed entrance off Barton Road.
Manchester Developments Ltd said in its latest submission: “The building has been the subject of a lot of vandalism since it was vacated, including a fire therefore the windows are now boarded up […] The proposed development will secure the comprehensive redevelopment of a long-term vacant and derelict site in the heart of Stretford.”
Altrincham Lodge enforcement
Trafford council has also issued a formal notice to the owners of Altrincham Lodge, requiring substantial repair works or demolition and site clearance within six months. If not done, the council can carry out the work and bill the owners. Emergency action was taken in May to secure the land around the Old Pelican Pub and the lodge after a fire in April and reports of vandalism, including bricks thrown at neighbouring homes.
Greene King, which owns the Pelican Inn, said it is in conversation with the council about its future but is not responsible for the lodge, as a third party is in ‘possession and control’ of it. A failed 2022 planning bid would have demolished the buildings for a care home and apartment block; the planning inspectorate ruled on it after the council missed the statutory time limit, with inspector Samual Watson judging the pub a ‘non-designated heritage asset’.
Trafford council said it has ‘seen proposals involving the refurbishment of the 1930s mock Tudor Pelican building’, but there ‘appears to be little prospect of the Lodge being brought back into beneficial use’.
Council statements
Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “Companies that own land and property have a responsibility to keep their sites tidy and in good repair. Failure to do so can be damaging and dangerous, often causing an eyesore and attracting anti-social behaviour.” She added: “Despite our prosecution in 2024, the required work was not carried out and the site remained in a poor condition. The fire at the vacant building in June this year brought renewed public attention to the property and highlighted the importance of ensuring that prominent sites are properly maintained.”
Keleigh Glenton, executive member for community safety and civil contingencies, said: “Residents have raised concerns about this site for a considerable time and understandably want to see progress. The former lodge has suffered years of deterioration and has been the subject of repeated incidents involving trespass, vandalism and fire damage. Although steps have been taken to secure the building, its condition continues to have a negative impact on the local area. We have therefore taken formal action to secure a long-term solution. Our priority is to respond to residents' concerns and ensure this prominent site is properly addressed.”
