Located in the heart of Chorlton, there have been long-held ambitions to redevelop the site into a high-quality neighbourhood that adds to the area’s appeal. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to create a new thriving heart for Chorlton which captures its independent spirit and responds to how people live, work, shop and spend time today.

We’re planning a mix of new homes; retail destinations; and outdoor spaces where the community can meet. We’ve recently published a draft masterplan for the site, which you can see here.

Initially, we planned to keep and refurbish Graeme House, but due to site constraints below the ground, we couldn’t do so and make the best use of the site. We have used the adopted framework and the height of Graeme House as starting point references for our design, trying to improve the layouts where we could.

The structures on site have little architectural merit, are not in a good state of repair and the current site layout isn’t the most efficient use of the space.

Whilst it’s proposed for all of the buildings to be new, we’ve carefully considered the locations and architectural design to ensure we add to Chorlton’s fabric in a positive and considered way.

Yes, we’re currently carrying our community consultation on the draft masterplan for the site, which you can see online here. You can also visit one of our drop-in events for more information and to discuss the plans with our team.

There will be more information available at our events, which we’ll also make available on our website when ready.

We want the neighbourhood to feature a mix of homes that will appeal to people at different points of their life. Our plans are for around 200 new homes for owner occupiers who want to put down roots in Chorlton.

There will be a diverse mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, duplexes and townhouses all with outdoor space such as balconies and gardens.

Around 20% will be affordable homes, which we will work with a Registered Provider to deliver.

Yes. We’re looking to include modern, fit for purpose commercial units as part of the neighbourhood. Once complete, it will deliver a bustling retail hub that complements Chorlton’s independent spirit.

We’re planning for a variety of flexible commercial spaces that can become home to a range of operators, from independent retailers to food and drinks enterprises. The layout of these modern, fit-for purpose spaces means the businesses will face outward from the site – helping attract footfall, integrate with nearby existing businesses and create opportunities for outdoor seating.

It’s too early at this stage to say exactly what businesses will locate to the development, as this will be influenced by many different factors.

However, we want to see a healthy mix of different retailers that reflects the different needs of Chorlton’s residents and visitors.

Yes. As part of the design we’re looking at the best way we can incorporate new areas that are open to the community, mainly green spaces that increase biodiversity.

Our masterplan includes new green spaces and planting throughout the neighbourhood.

We want to create a ‘linear park’ along Barlow Moor Road, with the aim to keep the majority of existing mature trees and create new spaces where people can sit, spend time and connect with the landscape.

The neighbourhood’s buildings will sit within planted streets and green spaces. There will be some areas, such as raised gardens, which will just be for the use of residents.

Pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular access into and throughout the site will be a key consideration for our team as we work up the masterplan.

As part of preparing a planning application, we’ll be undertaking a transport survey that considers this. This will be the subject of discussion and guidance from Manchester City Council’s highways team.

We are looking closely at parking demand for the development and the existing town centre uses. We will be commissioning new surveys and examining historical data. We don’t want the site to have a negative impact on surrounding streets, so all parking for the site’s residents and their visitors will be provided within the site through a mix of basement car parks and within the plots of the townhouses.

Cycle parking for residents, commercial spaces and visitors will be provided, as well as staff car parking and service areas for the retail units.

One of the below ground constraints on site is an underground culvert. We’ve designed the masterplan around this to make the best use of the areas that are suitable for development.

As part of this, we’ve slightly re-aligned Manchester Road, which will act as a tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly route through the neighbourhood.

This is outside our redline boundary. We’re not applying for this junction to be closed to vehicles as part of this application.

We are however proposing for vehicular access from Nicolas Road onto Manchester Road to be stopped. This would mean we could create more green public spaces that are safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

There could be opportunities in the future to extend this space to complement the aspirations for the neighbouring Picture House site, but this would be subject to separate applications and future consultation if this came to fruition.

We are drawing inspiration from Chorlton’s existing architecture and heritage. The neighbourhood will provide a new, but familiar look and feel that complements the distinctive Chorlton character.

Our designs take cues from the area, such as the local use of bay windows, extensive brick detailing, the presence of balconies and rich colour palette.

We aim to use these elements across the buildings to ensure the neighbourhood sits in harmony with its surroundings.

Whilst we have used the framework as a starting point for the design – for key considerations such as site layout and heights – we have departed from the framework in some ways.

The adopted framework showed buildings right up to the edge of the pavement along Barlow Moor Road. Instead, we have stepped the buildings back. It means we can keep and improve the existing community green spaces and create a ‘linear park’. When combined with the proposed new shops and cafes facing out toward the road, we expect this will really activate the street and integrate with the existing businesses.

We have also included breaks between the proposed buildings, which step down in height from the tallest being at the ‘gateway corner’ on Nicolas Road. All of these decisions significantly reduce the visual impact of the neighbourhood from the street.

We’ve a strong track record of delivering energy-efficient, high-quality homes that far exceed building regulations for sustainability. We see the Chorlton as an opportunity to push this even further and will be considering how to reduce carbon emissions in all the design choices we make.

We see this as a ‘stepping-stone’ development that continues to raise the bar of how new buildings can address environmental issues. As well as including green spaces and increasing biodiversity, we plan a fabric first approach to deliver carbon conscious buildings that reduce emissions. The design is optimised for onsite energy generation through rooftop photovoltaics (solar panels) and heat recovery systems.

To develop the site, we need planning permission from Manchester City Council. We’ve started work on a detailed planning application. Once we have consulted the community and considered the feedback, we’ll further develop our designs and submit a planning application to Manchester City Council.

The Council will then consider and determine the application. If approved, we’ll then begin work to clear the site and build the neighbourhood. We expect this to be in 2024.

Our work in pulling together the planning application will look at a whole range of factors, with detailed assessments and studies submitted as part of the application.

This will include: the location and design of new buildings; access arrangements and transport; how the site will look from various local viewpoints; the approach to landscaping and communal areas; and many other factors.

Take a look at our recent newsletter here for all the details.

To submit your feedback, simply:

• Complete the online questionnaire by clicking here
• Email us: enquiries@onechorlton.co.uk
• Write to us: Freepost – HAVE YOUR SAY (no further address or stamp needed)
• Call us: 0800 689 1095 (during office hours)

The One Chorlton conversation will run from Monday 6 November to Friday 8 December.

Find out more on our ‘Have Your Say’ page here.

We’re hosting consultation drop-in events on Saturday 18 November and Tuesday 21 November in the unit opposite Timpson’s in the Chorlton Shopping Centre, followed by several staffed exhibitions days at the same location.

If you can’t make it and still have questions, you can get in touch with our team. Check here for how to contact us.

We’re a family-owned company based in Greater Manchester with a reputation of delivering regeneration to an exceptional standard. Founded in 1979, we’ve a lengthy track record, building our reputation through the painstaking renovation of some of the finest heritage properties across the UK.

We’ve specialised in delivering new homes through a mix of restorations of historic buildings and design-led new builds, taking a bespoke approach to every project we take on. Local projects you may know includeSt James Park in Didsbury, the former Manchester Metropolitan University campus and Green Walk in West Didsbury.

As a local company, we’re committed to leaving a lasting legacy in Chorlton of which we can all be proud. You can find out more about our previous projects here.

The Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) owns the shopping centre site. In March 2023, they appointed us (PJ Livesey Group) as a development partner to design and consent a plan for the site, which we will then build.

The GMPF retains an interest as the landowner and we are working in partnership to ensure we deliver on the ambitions to revitalise this part of Chorlton in a sustainable and inclusive way.