Novo continues Altrincham’s Regent Road renaissance

Novo Property Group, Project3 Architects and Southway Housing Trust have submitted a planning application for the £2.3m Weavers Cottages development on Regent Road in Altrincham, the latest in a series of new proposals for the area.

The existing terraces on the site will be converted and extended to provide two and three-bedroom houses, while Number 33a, currently a retail unit, will undergo a more extensive rebuild, including a new black brick façade.

The buildings were formerly used as office space by Myersons Solicitors, which sold the site to Novo before its move to new premises on Barrington Road.

The Edwardian-style building on the corner of Regent Road and Norman’s Place is to be retained, with its retail unit currently housing Riddles Emporium, which will remain in place. The upper floors will be converted into a two-bed home with the building’s existing turret exposed.

Each of the six homes will have its own terrace and parking with a central courtyard. Subject to planning, main works are expected to start in July this year, and will complete in late 2018. Strip-out of the existing offices has already been completed.

Ben Fearns, managing director of Novo, said the development was the first phase of a wider plan with Southway Housing Trust, which will bring Weavers Cottages to market through its Gecko Homes brand as one of its first commercial ventures.

“This development is an incredibly rare opportunity to create family homes right in the heart of the town and we are using all our experience to make them really special,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to see the collective efforts of local business and Trafford Council, the town is truly thriving.”

Andrew Bamford of Project3, said: “Our remit was to design a scheme that positively influenced and respected the future of these historic buildings.

“The corner landmark building will be greatly enhanced by the new additions and will no longer be viewed as a standalone element but incorporated into the newly renovated street frontage.

“This project has the potential to significantly improve the existing commercial units and provide unique new homes that will benefit Altrincham’s continued growth”.

The professional team on the project also includes property consultants AA Projects. Previous projects that Novo has delivered include The Tannery on Goose Green, and the developer is also currently on site with contractor Artez to convert the former Dili restaurant on Stamford New Road into flats and ground floor commercial space.

Novo’s proposals for Regent Road are the latest to be forward for the area, which is set to see a significant overhaul in the coming years.

Last month, developer Citybranch secured planning approval 70 apartments across two five-storey blocks on the site of Regent Road car park, alongside a 300-space multi-storey car park, again set over five storeys.

There will also be 9,500 sq ft of retail, café, restaurant or commercial space on the ground floor of both blocks, fronting Regent Road, New Street, and a new public square.

These proposals have also been designed by Project3, alongside Planit IE as landscape architect.