Developers have pulled out of plans to buy and convert an old office block into 88 flats.

Mandale Apartments was going to transform Paragon House in Seymour Grove, Stretford, into a block of 64 one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom flats.

But the firm has announced the project is now on hold as it has pulled out of the purchase of the building.

Planning documents indicate the company had been working on the proposals since at least 2017.

The firm had also begun the formal planning permission process, with Trafford Council approving an early stage application as recently as Friday November 8.

The nine-storey building, a stone’s throw from Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, used to be home to Irwell Valley Homes, one of the social housing providers for Trafford Council.

The company was previously resident in Paragon House for 20 years, but is now based in the Soapworks building in Salford after moving in January this year.

Proposals show Mandale had plans for 11 flats per floor of the building; made up of three two-bedroom and eight one-bedroom units.

The firm was going to leave the ground floor of the building untouched, which is currently open at two sides and being used as a car park. The new flats were to be installed from the first floor upwards.

The developers would not be drawn on how many of the flats were set to be affordable or for social housing.

The site would have had 80 car parking spaces and 94 cycle spaces to cater for residents.

It is not yet known if a new development firm will step in to pick up the plans at a later date.

A spokesperson for Mandale Apartments said: “The project in question is currently on hold and therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.

“The project is on hold because we have quite simply withdrawn from the purchase of the building.”