Planning submitted for residential scheme in historic town centre
Oldham-based Studio KMA, on behalf of Hindle Property Investments, has submitted a planning application for a residential development in Wrexham’s historic and commercial area ‘The Markets’ in the town centre on Henblas Street.
The 697 sq m (0.07 ha) site is located in a conservation area in the centre of Wrexham and from 1873 the public hall and corn exchange was located there.
After being destroyed by fire in 1906 it was replaced by the Opera House and Public Hall in 1909, later renamed the Hippodrome in 1911 and finally the Hippodrome cinema in 1929.
A major fire in the building occurred in 2008 and it was subsequently demolished coinciding with a retail planning consent in 2009.
The current planning application underlines Wrexham County Borough Council’s desire for high quality residential and retail accommodation in the town and the proposed layout identifies a total of 1,296.6 sq m/10,902 sq ft gross internal area of new accommodation split between residential (use class C3(a)) of 474.8 sq m/5,109 sq ft and retail (use class A1) of 482.0 sq m/5,190 sq ft and provides 10 studio apartments and three one-bedroom apartments over two upper floors and two ground floor retail units.
The building will be part two and part three storeys in height.
Henblas Street is identified as comprising a very special part of Wrexham, which has an intimate and personal character as a result of the humble small-scale buildings lining the south side of Henblas Square, Henblas Street and Bank Street.
The redevelopment of the application site is specifically identified within the Conservation Area Assessment and Management Plan as a desired outcome for the enhancement of the historic quality of the town centre.
The design approach demonstrates an appropriate ‘human’ scale of development, respectful of the surrounding buildings and materials as well as seeking to strengthen the historic urban grain within ‘The Markets’ zone of the town centre.
Craig Welsh, associate at Studio KMA said: “It’s been rewarding working on such a significant site in the centre of Wrexham given its historic context and working alongside the local authority to achieve their aspirations.
“We received very positive feedback during the consultation phase for the scheme from both the local authority and users of the town centre.”
Stuart Hadfield, director at Studio KMA said: “As a practice, we have identified the North Wales region as a key target area for business growth and expansion and we are both delighted and excited to see this scheme come to fruition.
“Alongside the submission of this application for this important site we have a range of ongoing projects including a luxury residential redevelopment in Northern Anglesey, a retail scheme in Denbigh and the recent instruction for the redevelopment of the spectacular Maes Mynnan Hall in Flintshire has set the foundations of the business in this region and we look forward to the continued expansion of this moving forward.”
Studio KMA worked with Martin Planning, on planning, and Waterco, on drainage.
