Regeneration specialist unveils new landmark vision for Northwich site

Regeneration business Galliford Try Partnerships has this week submitted a planning application for a new, £10m vision for the former council offices on Watling Street, Northwich, designed to transform the town centre.

The plans for 70 high-quality apartments for the over-55s will see the demolition of the old building and a new development created in its place which will include a bistro and bring boutique hotel-style living to Northwich for the first time.

The development will breathe fresh life into the former council administration offices which are currently in a poor state of repair and in a key location in the town centre.

The scheme has been designed to encourage town centre living in Northwich, which will rejuvenate the heart of the community.

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.”

She added: “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.”

The application, which was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council this week, follows a previous, unsuccessful application by Galliford Try Partnerships on the site.

The new application has been designed as a contemporary reflection of the black and white timber-framed buildings synonymous with Northwich.

These updates include Northwich-inspired irregular height roof lines making the development look like a collection of smaller buildings.

The updated design will also see different colours of brick within the design to reflect the local architecture, as well as ‘push and pull’ frontages to the building, again giving the impression of a collection of smaller buildings grouped together.

Architects Pozzoni have created the design for the site in collaboration with independent experts in line with Northwich’s Neighbourhood Plan, taking into careful consideration the unique design features of the town.

The development will offer a unique opportunity to replace a town centre eyesore and create investment and new homes for the community and local economy, said Galliford Try.

The application for the new development is expected to go before Cheshire West and Chester Council this Autumn, with building work planned to start as soon as next year.