Trafford Waters - Architect

L&Q are undertaking this preliminary market engagement (PME) to inform the design of a future procurement exercise for an Architect for our Trafford Water site.

About L&Q

L&Q is one of the UK's largest charitable housing associations, owning and managing over 105,000 homes across Greater London and Greater Manchester. Alongside its core role as a housing provider, L&Q is an active developer and regeneration partner, delivering new homes across a range of tenures, including affordable housing and market sale. L&Q's development programme focuses on creating high-quality, sustainable places that support thriving communities and respond to local housing needs.

London and Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q) is seeking to procure an architect for RIBA stages 2 and 3 in relation to plots 3.4 and 5.3 at Trafford Waters, Manchester, M41 7JE. L&Q may seek to expand the remit of this appointment to cover other stages, and sites in the Trafford Waters Development.

The Project

Trafford Waters is a 53-acre regeneration site being master developed by Peel Group, with outline consent for up to 3,000 homes alongside significant public open space, commercial uses, and a new school. L&Q have already delivered an initial phase of the site, the Pearson Place scheme, comprising 83 apartments, and are now progressing the acquisition of further plots 3.4 and 5.3 within the masterplan.

Initial feasibility studies highlight the requirement for a high quality, high density family housing scheme that aligns with the requirements of the Trafford Design Code reflects the high density aspirations of the Outline Planning Consent (Reference: 85282/OUT/15).

An initial high level programme is as follows, please note all dates are indicative and subject to change.

Pre Market Engagement: October 2026

Tender / Framework call off: October 2026 – January 2026 (subject to decision on route to market)

Start of Services: January 2027

Planning Submission: May 2027

Start on Site: January 2028

L&Q wish to understand the capacity and capability of potential suppliers in the market to deliver our aims for high quality high density family housing schemes to inform our route to market. L&Q are eager to explore services beyond traditional architectural services – including how you can help us:

1. Ensure viability of the site

2. Assist with sales development / promotion of the dwellings

3. Manage risks of the development