Construction is due to start in the summer and be completed in 2012.

The 96,000 sq ft project – whose focus is on creating a modern, sustainable and holistic working environment – will be based around four components:

–  The refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed town hall and the creation of high-quality meeting, conference, training and dining facilities for employees as well as the wider community

–  45,000 sq ft of new open-plan office space accommodated within three, two-storey wings

–   A new public reception and conference facility

–   A two-storey internal street, which acts as an ‘organiser’ of the building, and around which all three of the above components are hung.

Paul Norbury, director of 5plus Architects said: “The successful, and unanimous, grant of planning permission follows two years of hard work.

“Encompassing architecture, masterplanning, interiors and graphics, this exciting project captures the best of the past, integrated with a 21^st Century working environment. Our design will revitalise a significant civic building for the benefit of the people of Trafford.”

Richard Squire, project director for Shepherd Developments added: “This is an exciting project that will provide great benefits to the community through the delivery of a much-improved, modernised facility that will nonetheless retain the building’s architectural heritage. We look forward to working closely with Trafford Council as the project progresses.”