PJ Livesey selects team for Chorlton shopping centre
Architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios will lead the professional team to design and deliver a new residential-led scheme at the suburban Manchester site.
PJ Livesey Group was selected in March by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund as development partner to lead the transformation of the site.
FCB Studios has now been appointed to work alongside the company’s in-house architectural team on initial designs for the 3.2-acre site which will also include retail aimed at independent operators, together with extensive landscaping.
Jonathan Thompson from LTL Property has been retained to advise on the retail offer. Avison Young will be working alongside PJ Livesey’s in-house planners.
The site, bounded by Barlow Moor Road, Wilbraham Road and Nicolas Road, comprises the shopping centre, together with Graeme House and an adjoining 200-space surface car park
According to a development framework adopted by Manchester City Council in 2017, the site could accommodate up to 190 homes.
PJ Livesey development director James Woodmansee said: “The site presents a huge opportunity to create something very special that not only provides a wide mix of new housing but serves the mix of retail operators that make Chorlton so special.
“We will be working with the best architects and consultants to make this happen and we want to take the residents of Chorlton on this journey with us.”
Public consultation will begin in early summer, with Font Communications appointed to lead events and community engagement.
The aim is to have initial designs by late summer for community comment with revised plans later in the year leading to a detailed planning application early in 2024. The site has been in the pipeline for more than a decade.
Ernst ter Horst, who leads Feilden Clegg Bradley in Manchester, said: “This is a truly exciting opportunity for us to collaborate with PJ Livesey on one of Manchester’s exciting and thriving suburban centres. A number of our team are local – adding to our understanding of the place and also our commitment to making this a great success.”
Chorlton needs an injection of new blood to bring it back to its 2000s heyday. I would invite the developers to go even more high density. Bring life into the heart of the centre. When you look at Ancoats, Chapel Street etc., it really feels a bit behind the times and could do with the additional 300 or so people this would bring in.
By Much Needed
The centre of Chorlton is a bit scruffy these days and could really be improved with this. Agree with as high density as possible on this site in such a sustainable location (provided there’s decent apartment floor space and good balconies).
By Mike A
Be bold, do more homes than 190. The area and wider city has a chronic housing shortage, 190 will barely touch the surface. Don’t listen to NIMBYs – prioritise those who want to come and live in and improve Chorlton, not those who want to hold it back
By Anonymous
I left Chorlton for Altrincham because of the parking situation, there are so many cars in Chorlton and people park all over the place, there are no rules, no wardens, it’s absolute chaos
By Dave
Exciting times! Totally agree this needs to be as ambitious as possible, a once in a generation opportunity to get this right!
Please, please can we have a quality supermarket – Booths was previously mooted for Chorlton, which would be an asset to the community, here’s hoping – or at least offer relocation of the M&S Food to a larger unit, Waitrose as an alternative…
By Pragmatist
I can’t see any balconies in this picture and believe me I’ve looked.
By Balcony worrier
As long as those businesses that have supported the people of the area are given proper options and a fair chance. It’s all very well making it look shiny and new but places such as Sale which have recently been “regenerated” are closing down in a short space of time. Will they be injecting money into new doctor’s surgeries for these extra houses, money into park facilities, schools, shops. Not denying it needs an overhaul but it would be a real shame to lose much loved businesses.
By Anonymous
Hope they undertake some meaningful community engagement too, some good examples of it in the comments already, some people actually want more homes here. Put it out to the folk who will be impacted, done right it would be very beneficial.
By Dan
All well and good – but what happened to the Co-Op Funeral building plans for à development of a community space including the medical centre as well as housing?
By Simon
About time! Don’t mind more homes but make sure there are enough parking spaces for those homes, otherwise you will end up people parking down streets around the precinct! Definitely need retail and would be great if they could incorporate a food market like Altrincham!
By Chorlton resident
It seems that community facilities and shops are lost but more and more homes built. 190 at one end of Nicholas road and 120 at the other end. Very little parking.
By Ellis
Sounds very interesting but I guess we’ll see what transpires as this has been in the offing longer than a decade more l two
By Alf
‘Residential led’🤢🤢
Retail/ something for the community please!
By Scott
The shopping centre badly needs total redevelopment. Its well past its prime and a disgrace now. This is an opportunity to do something amazing for the area. Good luck Livesey. Work hard and make us proud please!!
By Peter Armistead
Funny people expect more homes in one of the most desirable areas of MCR. Chorlton is relatively small and already congested with traffic plus densely populated. I can’t see a ton of space here for more homes. What’s wrong with some of the more unloved areas of MCR that actually have the green space left for housing?! Everyone would love to live in Chorlton and Trafford, but everyone can’t. I see green space in places like Failsworth and that side of MCR near town but not desirable enough for most who would rather live in the ready done highly desirable areas.
By Chips
Housing shortage-yes if it really was affordable rented accommodation or starter homes with a cap on the amount of allowable profits on resale. The area is becoming increasingly digested & no additional infrastructure. Also this is our town ‘square’ so try and keep the heart our wonderful town. I also hope there will be fair business rates if small independents are made to compete with charity shops, cartels and particular types of franchises we will become faceless. I hope we get the Sale model – shops on the inside with a proper town centre square. In the meanwhile until planning permission is finalised and a water tight start date agreed please keep the precinct open and withdraw the notice to quit given to current longstanding shops.
By Anonymous
Chorlton precinct is definitely in need of some regeneration – I hope the success of Urmston regeneration could be looked at as a suitable model for us.
By Anonymous