Plans to demolish Bowdon's ageing Jubilee Centre and replace it with a modern community facility, offices and two substantial six-bedroom homes have prompted a mixed response from local residents and community groups.
The proposals would see the redevelopment of the site at The Firs, between the Bowdon Rooms and St Mary's Road, bringing a new lease of life to a community building that has served local residents for decades.
The scheme, submitted to Trafford Council by PIC Homes, includes a purpose-built community centre with a new garden, alongside office accommodation and two detached family houses fronting St Mary's Road.
The existing Jubilee Centre, also known as the Jubilee Rooms, would be demolished.
According to the planning application, the building is ageing and no longer meets the needs of Bowdon Community Association and its users. The presence of asbestos also restricts opportunities to improve the existing facilities.
The proposed replacement building would provide approximately 168 square metres of community space and 180 square metres of offices, including a community hall, kitchen, toilets and storage facilities.
The two new six-bedroom properties would each provide approximately 4,500 square feet of accommodation, including garages, across two main storeys and additional roof space.
Designed by CODA Studios, the houses would feature traditional brickwork, pitched tiled roofs, prominent gables and chimneys, intended to reflect the architectural character of neighbouring properties in the Bowdon Conservation Area.
The plans follow an earlier permission, granted in 2015, for redevelopment of the site that included a replacement community centre and residential properties. That scheme was never implemented.
The latest proposals have been revised following discussions with Trafford Council and consultation with residents and community organisations.
However, the plans have attracted both support and opposition, with particular concerns raised about parking, access, the size of the replacement community facility and the impact on mature trees.
Bowdon Bowling Club, which uses the existing Jubilee Rooms for meetings and annual general meetings, has formally backed the application.
A number of local residents have also submitted representations in support of the proposals, welcoming the prospect of replacing the ageing Jubilee Centre and securing the future of a community facility in the heart of Bowdon.
In a letter to Trafford Council, the club's chairman and secretary said: "I would like to express my (and the club's) support for the planning proposal which retains and upgrades a much loved community centre on the site alongside the proposed residential development."
The letter added: "The long-standing use and future survival of the Jubilee Centre is a frequent subject of discussion within bowling club social gatherings and is close to the heart of local residents. It has our full support."
However, both Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society and Bowdon Conservation Group have lodged detailed objections.
The Civic Society argues that the proposals fail to address longstanding issues affecting the site, including land ownership, access rights and parking provision.
The application confirms that the overall number of parking spaces would fall from 50 to 30, including six spaces allocated to the two new homes.
The society says the existing parking is used by a wide range of people, including visitors to the Jubilee Rooms, Bowdon Croquet Club and Bowdon Rooms, as well as local businesses, churches and schools.
It fears the reduction could increase pressure on surrounding residential streets.
The society also argues that the proposed houses would be too large for their setting and has called on the council to consider a wider redevelopment strategy covering the Jubilee Centre, Bowdon Rooms and neighbouring Birch Cottage.
In its objection, it said: "We urge respectfully that this Application be refused and that Trafford takes a more strategic view of the use of the three contiguous sites at the centre of Bowdon Village."
Bowdon Conservation Group has separately raised questions about the long-term viability of the replacement community centre.
The group claims the new facility would be only just over half the size of the existing Jubilee Rooms, with one room available for community organisations rather than the current two.
It also questions whether Bowdon Community Association would be able to raise the £140,000 it says would be required to purchase the new building.
The group warns that, if the funding cannot be secured, the community space could ultimately be converted into additional offices.
While acknowledging that the existing building is deteriorating and needs replacing, the group argues that the development could ultimately reduce rather than improve the community facilities available in Bowdon.
Its objections also include the proposed loss of a mature London plane tree, concerns about access involving land owned by the Stamford Arms, and the scale of the two proposed homes.
The group said it had hosted a public meeting on October 5, attended by around 65 people in addition to its committee, including local residents, businesses, community organisations and councillors.
According to the group, the meeting expressed strong concerns about parking and agreed that the application should be rejected.
Bowdon Conservation Group has urged Trafford Council to take a more strategic approach to the future of the village centre, considering the Jubilee Centre alongside the neighbouring Bowdon Rooms and Birch Cottage sites.
The developers say the design has been carefully revised to respond to the surrounding conservation area, while the layout includes ten parking spaces allocated for Bowdon Croquet Club and separate access arrangements for the new homes.
They argue that the replacement centre would provide modern, energy-efficient accommodation capable of supporting the long-term future of community activities on the site.
The application, reference 119935/FUL/26, is currently awaiting a decision from Trafford Council.
