Second Watch Factory phase in for planning

An application for 88 houses and 103 apartments, representing the second phase of development on a former watch factory on Bookbinders Lane, Prescot has been lodged with Knowsley Council.

The application outlines the demolition of existing buildings on site, comprising the former factory and former social housing for elderly people, owned by Knowsley Housing Trust.

DK Architects has designed the scheme for KHT’s parent First Ark Group, with Turley acting as planner. DK’s design & access statement said that the project will look to build on the success of the first phase at the Watch Factory, “adding to the housing variety and sustainability of the neighbourhood”.

That first phase comprised an extra care development and bungalows, and phase two combines apartments in three blocks that are designed for the over-55 market, along with family housing.

Of the housing, 60 homes are to be three-bedroom, eight four-bedroom, and 14 two-bedroom, with six further bungalows. There will be 55 one-bedroom apartments and 48 two-bedroom apartments.

The 8.2-acre site lies 1km east of Prescot town centre, close to the A57 Warrington Road. Opened in 1889, the factory was a rare example of a UK watch factory of size, and was only operational or 20 years for its intended use, later becoming an army barracks and then a printworks.

The professional team also includes Alan Johnson Partnership as structural engineer, Wilkinson Cowan as employer’s agent, PSD as M&E engineer and Vectos on transport.