Chorlton and the wheelchairs
COUNCILLORS in Manchester are set approve plans to build retirment flats on the site that was home to Manchester’s famous animation house Cosgrove Hall.
The company, responsible for Dangermouse, Jamie and the Magic Torch and Chorlton and the Wheelies, spent 33 years at the offices on Albany Road, Chorlton, but left in February 2009 when its parent company ITV opted not to renew the lease.
Bournemouth-based developer McCarthy & Stone bought the site for an undisclosed sum from a private investor last June. Planning officers have recommended plans for a four-storey retirement home with 47 flats and parking for 26 cars are approved.
Several residents have expressed concern about the scale of the building and the impact it will have on traffic and parking. But in their report planning officers said: “It is considered that the proposal will not have an adverse impact on visual or residential amenity and is in accordance with the development plan.”
ITV moved Cosgrove Hall into its Quay Street offices in the city centre in 2009 admitting the business was under review.
Cosgrove Hall ceased trading in October 2009 with ITV citing continuing losses and increasing difficulties with financing children’s programmes, stemming partly from the loss of advertising revenues following Ofcom’s decision to ban junk food ads during children’s programmes.
Although its back catalogue includes classics like Count Duckula and Wind in the Willows, it did not earn revenue from them because the rights are held by Fremantle Media.
