Plans in for mixed-use Chorlton scheme
Retail business Leon’s Fabrics has submitted an application for a five-storey development at its Barlow Moor Road site in the south Manchester suburb.
Advised by architect Howard & Seddon and planner Avison Young, the business intends to develop a scheme with ground floor retail and 11 apartments. Of these, four will be three-bedroom, four two-bedroom and three one-bedroom.
The proposal is to demolish the existing 2,539 sq ft shop and replace it with 2,216 sq ft of retail space. On site parking is to be expanded from four spaces to 10. The current store is set back slightly from Barlow Moor Road, with parking in front, but the new scheme will see a parking entrance allowing access to the rear of the site.
Although the existing building has a date stone marked 1885, a heritage study carried out by Lanpro has concluded that it was in fact built between 1919 and 1922, originally for use as a laundry. Built in brick and render, the existing store has fallen into a state of disrepair, the applicant said.
The site has a chequered planning history, with a change of use to a car showroom approved in 1989, but offices refused in 1991. A 1999 application for two retal buildings was refused, a proposal for 20 flats approved in the same year, before a scheme of 27 apartments in a part four and part-three floor building with basement parking was approved in 2000.
The retail space will be at the north east part of the site, with the accommodation above, over four floors. The adjacent building is between three and a half and four and a half storeys tall.
Avison Young’s planning statement concluded: “The scale of the building will be in-keeping with its surroundings, being of a similar height to the adjacent apartment building to the south of the site.
“Furthermore, the design of the proposed development will aid the successful functioning of the proposed retail unit, with the entrance into the retail unit located at the eastern elevation, providing views into the site for those travelling along Barlow Moor Road. Therefore, the orientation of the retail unit entrance will increase its visibility and thus enhance the potential for pass-by trade.”
Looks like adequate space for some street tree planting in there
By Anonymous
chorlton middle class nimby mafia will literally catch fire over this
By lovemcr
@lovemcr, why? This sounds like a generic comment not at all specific to Chorlton
By Anonymous
lovemcr – literally?
By John
Speaking as a Chorlton nimby (not sure about the middle class bit), it is ugly…. If the owners want to level the site and re-develop it, fine, but….. The trees idea would be an improvement, at least they would hide it to some extent.
By Allotmentlad
I grew up in chorlton cum hardy and visit it occasionally. I’m not impressed with the new flats that have been built in various locations. I understand things change but sadly from what I’ve seen it’s not been for the better.
By Bernadette
Yes lovemcr, because a 5 story faceless block of flats it just what Chorlton needs!
By loubylou
The identity of a place is really important. It’s arrogant when an architect comes in and rides roughshod over this. Inner-city architecture doesn’t sit well in suburbs with a tight traditional grain.
By Roscoe