Northwich apartments redesigned after planning refusal

Galliford Try Partnerships has submitted a fresh application to build 70 apartments on Watling Street in Northwich, more than six months after the proposals were first rejected by Cheshire West & Chester’s planning committee.

The company’s proposals are for 70 apartments aimed at the over-55s market, on the site of the former council offices on Watling Street, alongside the River Dane in the town centre.

The developer and contractor previously submitted an application for the project, designed by architect Pozzoni, last year, but this was refused at committee in December, despite being recommended for approval by planning officers, after being criticised for “failing to respect the local character of Northwich” by objectors.

Committee members had argued the previous design was “poor” and argued it “failed to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of the area by not adequately responding to the traditional building architecture of Northwich to reinforce the character and identity” of the town.

The original design, rejected at committee in December last year

The fresh application by Galliford Try Partnerships features what is described as “a contemporary reflection of the black-and-white timber-framed buildings synonymous with Northwich”.

Changes include irregular roof heights and using different colours of brick to tie the scheme in with the local architecture. Pozzoni has used Northwich’s Neighbourhood Plan to work up designs for the project.

Having submitted an updated application this week, Galliford Try Partnerships is hoping to have the updated scheme before Cheshire West & Chester’s planning committee in the autumn, and subject to approval construction could start on site next year.

Aimee Law, head of partnerships at Galliford Try Partnerships, said: “This new application represents a significant step change and an opportunity for genuine transformation for this area of Northwich town centre.

“We believe the site is ideally suited to high quality, apartments offering a new standard of living for the over 55s in Northwich. We have included a bistro in the design which will be open to everyone to help inject new life into this landmark location.”

“We have worked hard to create a design which fits with the unique character of the town taking advice from independent, local town planners and historians. Northwich is a unique and beautiful town and we wanted to create something that reflected that heritage but also delivered a fresh, modern environment that is fit for the future.”