AURA COURT, Stretford Road, Manchester
Welcome to the Aura Court Website
Keeping Residents and Leaseholders Informed
Welcome to the Aura Court Website, which has been created to act as an information hub for Leaseholders and Tenants.
It is designed to report predominantly on progress of the Cladding Replacement project, but also offers in formation on general upgrades happening around the building.
This page enables leaseholders and residents to contact Edgerton Estates with any queries they may have in relation to the Cladding Scheme. A.P Sheehan & Co have been retained by Edgerton Estates, to act as the Cladding Scheme Project Lead and have also been assisting with the monitoring of some of the general building maintenance elements. They have taken space in Aura Court Business Centre and set up a project office. APS are happy to act as an information hub in terms of Cladding Scheme activity and general works instructed by Edgerton Estates. They do not however, perform the managing agent function.
It is APS who suggested that a website will be the most effective way of keeping leaseholders and tenants informed.
There are two main tabs - one relating to General Building Maintenance and the second specific to the Cladding Scheme, which supported by a grant from Homes England, will allow a project team led by A.P Sheehan & Co Ltd, to oversee the replacement of cladding and the lifting of the Regulatory Reform Order in the affected parts. APS have a Cladding Scheme project office in the Aura Court Business Centre and will be on hand most days within the building,
The third tab is for Messages and allows for ease of communication to ask questions about the building in general and the Cladding Project., It is not an conduit for service charge and ground rent queries, as these are handled directly as usual by Edgerton Estates.
The Building - General Information
Aura Court is a combination of business centre on the ground floor and 48 x apartments above, the latter surrounding an internal courtyard.
Situated on Stretford Rd in Trafford, it lies in a position which is highly sustainable and on the fringe of Manchester City centre. It benefits from the fact that it is only a 5 minute walk to Cornbrook tram stop which is the only Metrolink stop connecting to every other station on the Greater Manchester Metroilink network.
The building was acquired from Compton's in 2023 by Edgerton Estates and although there was a lull in activity following the transfer, Edgerton Estates is now fully engaged with the Council, the Fire Service and Homes England, to remedy defects in the building.
Significant enabling works have been undertaken in recent weeks, specifically to make safe the part of the building which is subject to a Regulatory Reform Order. This was placed on the building by Manchester Fire Service when under the ownership and management of Comptons. It is effectively a prohibition to occupy due to fire safety reasons. These were the result of a combination in the change in regulations following the Grenfell fire disaster, a reported lack of maintenance on the timber decking on the stairwell. and lacking active management within the building by the freeholder at the time.
The works have been essential to ensure that the atrium area is safe and secure. The are a temporary solution, acting as enabling works, to allow for safe movement around this part of the building, so that the project team of retained consultants and potential contractors can assess the area in readiness for full remedial works and replacement of the cladding system. the level of works is significant and has made the entire area secure, accessible and fire safe.
March update
Building on the progress made at the begin of the month, the Fire Remedial Cladding Project continues to reach important milestones. While there have been some minor delays due to ongoing design updates, these are being carefully managed through close coordination and efficient on-site planning.
We are now ready to increase the pace of work as more construction information becomes available. Most importantly, the project continues to move forward safely and steadily, maintaining high standards of workmanship, with no major health and safety concerns reported.
🏗️ Project Update
Works are progressing well, with the new profiles now successfully installed. Installation of the window and patio door supports has been completed, meaning we are ready to move into the next stage of the project.
Additional brackets have now been fitted around the building, alongside the previously installed rails. These components will provide essential structural support for the new cladding system.
In the atrium, the staircase is nearing completion, with painting works almost finished. The painting process has presented some challenges due to the nature of the space, the careful application required for the Thermo Guard paint, and the Great British weather not being on our side. Nevertheless, Mark’s team has worked hard to overcome these issues and deliver a high-quality finish. Their efforts are keeping this area firmly on track.
Over the next three weeks, we will begin installing the overhead walkways — an exciting milestone that will help bring the space together.
February update
🏗️ Project Update
We’re pleased to share the latest progress on site!
Work is moving along well, with new profiles now fitted to the top brickwork to help prevent any water ingress. Installation of the window and patio door supports is currently underway, helping to prepare these areas for the next stages.
You may also notice brackets and rails being fitted around the building — these will support the new cladding system.
In the atrium, the stairs are nearly fully painted and are close to completion. Over the next three weeks or so, we’ll begin installing the walkways above, which is an exciting step forward for the space.
Thank you for your continued patience and support while we carry out these improvements. We’ll keep sharing updates as work progresses!
January update
more updates for january
Throughout January, significant work has been carried out to prepare the building for the next phase of the project. The atrium has been fully stripped back and is nearly ready for the installation of new decking, while the metalwork is being painted to ensure full compliance with fire regulations.
Externally, a general clean-up has also taken place, including jet washing the turrets, which has restored them to their original yellow colour and greatly improved the overall appearance of the building.
We aim to update this page weekly starting in February to keep you informed on progress.
January update
Happy New Year !!
This period has seen great progress in tackling the non-compliant façade cladding. Work to remove combustible materials and replace them with fully compliant, fire-rated cladding systems is moving along smoothly and will significantly improve both fire safety and regulatory compliance once complete.
Strong teamwork across the project—bringing together the subcontractor, fire engineer, building control, and client representatives—has kept everything well coordinated and on track. This collaborative approach has helped ensure the works are delivered efficiently while keeping disruption to businesses and tenants to a minimum.
Overall, the project continues to perform very well, with high standards of workmanship maintained throughout the latest health and safety report reflects this with an excellent 99% score.
December update
The start of December has brought the holiday spirit to Aura Court, with Mark and his team adding festive cheer by decorating the courtyard area. Their efforts are already bringing some seasonal joy to the community.
Meanwhile, work is underway to weatherproof the roofs and seal the windows—much needed as the great British weather rolls on!
more updates to come throughout December........
The weather defence boarding is now 99% complete — these are the purple boards you can see around the top of the building, which help fireproof and weatherproof the structure. The black fireproof breather membrane, which allows the building to breathe while helping prevent damp and mould, is expected to be finished within the next few weeks. This will get everything ready for the installation of the brackets and cladding in the New Year.
Mark and his team would like to thank all residents for your patience and cooperation while the works continue. Finally, we’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026.
November Update
November has brought some great progress on the building! We were especially pleased to receive a site safety inspection score of 98% — a fantastic result for the construction team and a real boost for the project manager.
Work on the exterior is well underway. The old cladding is being removed, and new Weatherboard is going up to keep the building protected while construction continues. The new cladding and fixings have now been ordered, and the nearby footpaths are temporarily closed so the MEWPs can safely reach the highest parts of the façade.
Inside, the atrium colours have been finalised. A few of the original colour choices had long lead times, so the architects reviewed the palette and made some adjustments.
October Update
The existing Trespar cladding is now being replaced by KMM Group with a Weatherboard, making the building ready for the new cladding system. Meanwhile, footpath closure permits have been applied for and the cladding colours being refined to brighten up the Atrium area, where apartments were affected by the Regulatory Reform Order.
The cladding panels are being ordered early November, following receipt of the requested monthly allocated funds. These are expected early November following a detailed review by Homes England of the Cost schedule and Programme. There has been some delay, pushing project completion into February.
September Update
Work Begins!
Welcome To KMM Group, the chosen Contractor
We are delighted to welcome KMM Group to the project. Currently, KMM are removing any unwanted materials and are setting up Welfare and the materials compound. All health and safety checks are being undertaken, RAMS for specific tasks completed and workforce inductions undertaken.
We will keep you informed as to how we progress. Scaffolding will be erected in just under 4 weeks, as well as mast climbers, that drop down from the top of the building, to avoid unnecessary scaffolding around the building.
For any queries, simply contact us via the enquiries form, or speak to the management team at QAS in the business centre.
August Update
Start on Site Imminent!
In the past 4 weeks, a number of elements have been progressed.........
- Homes England haver now approved the Contractor and Works Package.
- Greater Manchester Fire Service have approved the architects plans and specifications.
- Building Control Application has been submitted and we hope to receive approval of the drawings package in the third week of August.
- Thereafter, only the signed works contract is required to enable the start on site date to be fixed
- Contractor is programmed to start on site prior to the end of the month.
- Works will last circa 6 months.
July Update
- Contractors invited to tender resilted in 3 bids received to undertake the cladding-related and Atrium works.
- Reports from the Project Lead and Employers Agent have been prepared, detailing the pros and cons of each bids in relation to the others, followed by recommendations as to which contractor to appoint.
- Awaiting response from Homes England on cost breakdown and preferred contractor.
- Planning Consent has been granted by Trafford Council..
- Building Control now have receipt of the two additional plans from architects, as it was decided that a roof was required to cover just the stairwell in the atrium, thereby avoiding any smoke-related escape issues in case of fire.
May-June Update
Planning Application, Building Control Application all Tender Running!!
With the Planning application underway, feedback has resulted in some minor tweaks to the façade to reduce the bulky dark elements. New CGI's will be available shortly.
The Building Control Application has now been submitted, incorporating both the external wall cladding replacement system and the Atrium works.
The tender has been run and three bidders returned bids, with another three declining to bid. Final amends to drawings are being considered by the bidders and a contractor appointment will be made in the next second week of June.
March-April Update
Planning Application Validated
Tender now underway
The Planning application for removal and replacement of the external wall cladding, has unfortunately taken longer then expected, but thankfully is now validated. The team were awaiting confirmation on two element;
- Structures. Whilst confident that the external wall solution was sufficiently light to avoid displacement issues, they needed to inspect and assess the solution in the atrium area of the building. The timber decking walkway replacement solutions were under constant review, as GMFRS officers advised that they wanted to see a closed walkway i.e. no gaps between slats and the underneath of the walkway on each floor completely sealed. this would therefore avoid smoke from having any chance of overwhelming residents using the walkway and stairs acting as the escape route, in the event of a fire. We now have confirmation on an aluminium walkway, which does not exceed the current weight loading capacity of the atrium superstructure.
- Fire Plan. Hydrock, our fire consultants, needed a plan denoting the ,location of fire hydrants, together wit confirmation as to when they were last serviced. Initial advice was that they are serviced by ?united Utilities. following investigation, UU finally responded to advise that it is in fact GMFRS who service these hydrants and the latter has now provided the required information.
We now have the necessary information and the Local Planning Authority(LPA) have confirmed that he application is now validated,
Tender for Contractors
Edgerton Estates has now sent out invitations to tender to a number of contractors., We have chosen to approach small and large contractors, both local, regional and national contractors, with relevant experience. We will have a better idea of the number of parties intending to submit a bid by the end of this month.
February Update
Planning Application Submitted!
Stantec, our planning consultants and 1618 architects have now submitted the planning application to replace the dangerous cladding around Aura Court. We have taken advice from the fire and structures team at Hydrock, now part of Stantec. The team have concluded that the weight loading on the timber frame was possibly too great to deliver a replacement brick solution to the façade and therefore, appropriate replacement cladding materials and fixing systems have been selected.
The team are currently reviewing structures loading on the steelworks in the Atrium section, but have also now decided on the makeup of the walkways replacing the timber decking. Once the load bearing capacity assessment on the steel has been completed, an Building Regs application will be submitted - likely next week.
The above assessment is the only remaining element preventing the Project Team from releasing tender documentation to contractors who have been selected from a range of small, medium and larger organisations, operating either regionally or nationally, in order to ensure a spread of likely interested parties.
GMFRS Enforcement Notice
Edgerton Estates received confirmation from the Greater Manchester Fire Service, that they are satisfied that all elements of the Enforcement Notice have now been complied with.
More Info to follow
January Update
The Cladding Scheme appointed architects -1618 Architects have inspected the external wall cladding, to determine the system required to accommodate a potential brick slip solution to the cladding replacement. Elements of the external wall and the atrium were also inspected by officers from Trafford Council Building control, with regard to fire protection between apartments and with regard to the overall approach to finding a suitable remediation solution for the atrium area.
Hydrock, our appointed Fire Consultants, completed the new Fire Risk Assessments to both the Residential and Commercial parts of the building. Recommendations were made and are due to be addressed.
November Update
The architects have almost completed the plans and an intrusive inspection for them and Trafford Council's Building Control Team is being arranged.
The anticipation is for the team to go out to tender to contractors in December.
October Update
The building was visited and an walkaround organised for members of Homes England and Trafford Council. the group were able to inspect the enabling works undertaken, to effect safe access for the Cladding Scheme consultants.
The architects are on with digitalising original hard copies of the building plans.
September Update
Forthcoming Actions
Now that the Project Team are all signed up, the Architects and fire engineers are meeting on 5th September to discuss the project and get the design work underway. The building 'as built' drawings are finished and the Council have provided other drawings undertaken by their architects on the atrium element. this will help speed up the process, the intention being to pass building regs as soon as possible and lift the RRO.
These drawings will dovetail into the executive architects overall package and work will now begin in earnest to put together the overall package to go out to tender to contractors.
The block manager has noticed that the bin store gate has been broken again and items other than rubbish placed in the area. Can tenants please ensure that this stops, as management do not wish to review CCTV and charge tenants for removal of such.
EE has now received an enforcement notice as a result of the GMFRS - Inspection - 9th July. There were 5 main items, some of which tenants can assist with.
- Tenants must now store bicycles on stairwells and corridors. these act as barriers to escape routes. Any bikes found will need to be removed.
- Other items such as prams and clothes dryers outside of apartment front doors are not permitted for the same reason.
- The Fire Risk Assessment is out of date and Hydrock have been instructed to prepare an update report to cover the residential areas and a separate report for the ground floor commercial.
- Certain minor works to the turrets electricity cabinets are required and the workmen have been instructed to undertake such.
- Regular testing of all systems is required to be evidenced, although all smoke detection systems are operating well. Regular testing has been put in place.
August Update
Pleased to welcome Hydrock Fire Engineers and 1618 Architects to the team
The Project Team appointed both Hydrock and 1618 architects to finish off the professional team and to begin works on pulling the designs and tender together.
5 architects were approached and with the national fire engineers and planning consultants in place, the balance was finally tipped in 1618 Architects' favour, as they are a Manchester based firm. We went for two national and three local firms.
Also - the EWS-1 form has been uploaded to the website, for Leaseholder benefit and the fire risk advice booklet updated. Leaseholder - please ensure your tenants are signposted to a copy or provided with a hard copy.
July 2024 Update
Fire Inspections on 8th and 9th July
On 8th July, the local Fire station dropped in unnanounced to undertake their 6-monthly fire inspection. The team inspected the Atrium and the Business Centre. The overriding concern was the ongoing risk to the overall building and to check whether defects identified in the Business Centre had been appropriately addressed. They were satisfied that all issues on both had been suitably addressed and departed with no outstanding concerns.
GMFRS - Inspection - 9th July
A day later, an arranged inspection was carried out by a senior fire officer and a colleague. Their overriding concern was to ensure that the building was constructed in a fashion whereby the residential areas were sufficiently protected from the Ground Floor commercial space, in the event of fire. In this regard they were satisfied.
An inspection of the common parts of the occupied residential areas identified some remedial works to sevice cupboards, together with the required replacement of two compromised apartment doors in apartments curently unoccupied. Those leaseholders will be contacted directly, to ensure that the doors are replaced.
All smoke alarms were checked and performed as designed. Two blockages to the passageways were identified, namely a bike strapped to the banister and a child's pram in the corridor. We have been asked to convey the note that these areas must be kept clear at all times.
We are awaiting the note from GMFRS, with the list of required works from their perspective and will ensure that these are carried out in accordance with their instructions.
Such a note will invariably be sent as an enforcement notice, no matter how long the list of required remedial works. Edgerton Estates will comply in a timely fashion and ensure that any identified issues are remedied.
Homes England Contacted by Leaseholders
APS & Co has been informed by the Client Side Representative for Homes England that two leaseholders have made direct contact with them, concerned that funds allocated by Homes England to Edgerton Estates for the Cladding Project are being inappropriately used to improve the entire building.
The Freeholder has asked for a note to be set out on the website, confirming that no Homes England monies have been inappropriately spent on the rest of the building and that any relevant works will be re-charged to Leaseholders, as is normal business practice.
Edgerton Estates will be sending out itemised invoices shortly for such works and will be grateful if these are paid in a timely fashion.
Forthcoming Improvements
Quotes are being gathered for an overhaul of the Turret access common parts. Whilst the entrance / Fire doors have been replaced and varnished, the Turrets themselves are in need of a repaint and carpeting. Once funds for the last round of improvements have been recovered, EE will turn attention to the Turrets.
