Plans to build flats for homeless people in a car park in Trafford have been approved just months after they were described as 'ridiculous'. The plans for 12 cottage-style affordable apartments off Shawe Road in Urmston have been given the green light after changes were made, with the new building now further away from nearby properties.

The site near Trafford FC's ground is used as a car park on match days. However, Trafford council said that the land, which it owns, is not recognised as a car park despite claims it has been used in this way for more than 30 years.

In August, councillors knocked back the proposal after the town hall's planning and development management committee asked the developer to rethink the plans. Labour councillor Laurence Walsh, who is vice-chair of the committee, told residents that the proposal 'would not last two seconds' if it was not homeless accommodation.

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However, other councillors on the committee were convinced by the changes made to the scheme and voted to approve the plans at a meeting on Thursday (November 9). These changes include moving the development 9.5 metres further away from the terraced houses on Shawe View and planting more trees to improve landscaping.

But some residents remained opposed to the scheme with one shouting 'shameful' as he left the meeting after the decision was made. Speaking ahead of the decision, Ellie Smith, who lives in Shawe View, told the committee that the distance between the new development and the existing terraced properties around it was still 'insufficient'.

Concerns were also raised about the impact the development would have on parking when Trafford FC are playing. But council planners said that they hope to work with the club to make better use of the car park that will remain.

Rachel O'Connor from Mosscare St Vincent - the housing association behind the scheme - said the development is 'much needed'. She told the committee that this is 'the only viable' site to deliver this type of housing in Trafford.

Labour councillor Liz Patel, who is the executive member for economy and regeneration, spoke of the high number of people requiring the kind of affordable accommodation that this scheme would offer. However, speaking after the meeting residents said that they recognise the need for more housing - they just don't agree with the location.

Obejctor Ellie Smith told the Manchester Evening News that the residents opposed to the plans are not motivated by NIMBYism [not in my back yard]. She cited comments that were made at the last committee meeting in which it was argued that this planning application would not have even reached this stage had it been a private scheme.

She said: "They're putting social reasons over planning reasons. That feels undemocratic."

The committee approved the planning application with all but one councillor voting in favour. Those who supported it said they were sympathetic to the concerns of residents, but praised the improvements made to the application.