Omnia: A New Chapter in Stretford Begins

Works are set to commence on site at the end of the month at Omnia, a transformative residential development that will deliver 52 new homes in the heart of Stretford. More than simply a housing scheme, the development represents a significant step forward in the wider regeneration of the area, bringing a long-vacant site back into productive use while creating high-quality homes, enhanced public spaces, and stronger connections to the surrounding community.

As a key component of the Stretford Masterplan, the Omnia development on Lacy Street will help strengthen links between Stretford Mall and the Bridgewater Canal, creating attractive new routes, active frontages, and high-quality public realm that will benefit both new residents and the wider neighbourhood.

Delivering Homes for Stretford's Future

Working closely with our client, Trafford Council, the brief was to create a diverse and inclusive residential community comprising 52 family homes, including a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses alongside walk-up apartments.

The scheme has been carefully designed to support Trafford's housing ambitions by providing both affordable and market-sale homes in a well-connected and amenity-rich location. All properties will be delivered to M4(2) Accessible and Adaptable standards, ensuring homes can respond to the changing needs of residents throughout their lives.

The result is a sustainable, high-quality development that combines thoughtful design with long-term adaptability, creating homes suitable for a broad range of residents and households.

From Concept to Reality: The Five Core Design Principles

1.   A Landscape-Led Vision
From the earliest stages, the development was shaped by a landscape-first approach, placing green infrastructure at the heart of the masterplan.

A network of public open spaces, communal gardens, private rear gardens, and landscaped frontages creates an interconnected green environment that supports biodiversity, encourages movement through the site, and enhances residents' wellbeing.

Particular attention has been given to the prominent junction of Chester Road and Edge Lane, where a generous public open space will form a welcoming gateway into the development. Retaining a green character at this key intersection, the space introduces a clear sense of arrival while providing attractive, fully accessible pedestrian routes.

A central landscaped route along Bannister Street links these green spaces together, establishing strong connections across the development. Additional public realm improvements along the Bridgewater Canal include a dedicated public open space, landscaped buffer zones, and improved access to the towpath.

Importantly, the relationship between private gardens and shared landscaped spaces has been carefully considered. Homes overlook communal areas, creating a cohesive environment where public, communal, and private spaces work together to support a vibrant and attractive community.

2.   Reimagining Bannister Street
One of the most significant aspects of the scheme is the reinstatement and reimagining of Bannister Street as a pedestrian-focused green corridor.

Running from Chester Road to the Bridgewater Canal, the new street will prioritise walking and cycling, creating a safe and welcoming route through the development. Soft landscaping and small front gardens will frame the street, drawing inspiration from the character of traditional Stretford neighbourhoods and encouraging slower vehicle speeds.

By establishing a direct connection between Stretford Mall and the canal, the scheme places people first and vehicles second, helping to promote sustainable travel and greater community connectivity.

3.   Designing for Community
Creating a strong sense of community was a fundamental driver throughout the design process.

To achieve the required density while respecting the surrounding urban context, homes have been arranged in terraces that form a perimeter block structure. Influenced by historic street patterns, this layout creates active frontages along the development's public edges while establishing secure and private communal spaces at its centre.

The central landscaped courtyard provides opportunities for relaxation, play, and social interaction, while private gardens overlook these shared areas, encouraging natural surveillance and fostering neighbourly connections.

This careful balance of private and communal spaces helps to create an environment that feels both safe and sociable, supporting the development of a strong and connected community at Lacy Street.

4.   Creating an Engaging Streetscape
A varied mix of housing types, scales, and building forms contributes to a distinctive and engaging townscape throughout the development.

Townhouses sit alongside two-storey family homes and apartment buildings, creating rhythm and visual interest while maintaining a coherent architectural identity. Inspired by historic development patterns, the arrangement of buildings reinforces a clear urban structure and defines well-articulated blocks.

Given the extent of terraced housing across the site, a key design objective was to break down massing and avoid repetition. This has been achieved through articulated gables, varied pitched roof forms, and carefully considered architectural detailing.

Brick panels, window surrounds, entrance canopies, and gable features bring character to individual homes, while variations in brick colour and the strategic distribution of house types ensure diversity across the streetscape.

Large windows maximise natural daylight within homes and contribute to attractive, well-overlooked public spaces and pedestrian routes, enhancing both comfort and security.

5.   A Cohesive Material Palette
Materiality plays an important role in establishing the character and quality of the development.

Brick forms the primary building material throughout the scheme, with a carefully curated palette of buff, red, and brown-red tones creating visual richness while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.

From the outset, the architectural and landscape teams worked closely together to ensure the relationship between buildings and public spaces felt seamless. This collaborative approach influenced material choices across the development, from boundary walls and landscape features to street furniture and external detailing.

Consistent use of materials, combined with carefully coordinated ironmongery and window finishes, creates a unified and high-quality identity across the site.

Supporting the Regeneration of Stretford

The Omnia development represents a significant investment in Stretford's future. Through the delivery of high-quality homes, enhanced public spaces, improved canal-side connections, and a landscape-led approach to placemaking, the scheme will make a positive contribution to the ongoing regeneration of the area.

Developed collaboratively with Trafford Council, planners, and the wider project team, the proposals successfully balance functionality, sustainability, and design quality while responding to the ambitions of the Stretford Masterplan.

As works commence on site, we look forward to seeing the vision become reality over the coming years, with completion anticipated in Spring 2028. The result will be a thriving new neighbourhood that not only provides much-needed homes but also enriches the wider Stretford community for generations to come.