Plans submitted for two town centre developments

Leeds-based property developer Priestley Homes, and local property firm Immedi-Let, have submitted plans to redevelop two buildings in Warrington town centre.

Plans are set to deliver a £3.5m residential scheme on Museum Street, as well as a £1.8m renovation project to create an aparthotel on Palmyra Square.

The Museum Street development will create 27 high-quality apartments through a mixture of conversion and new build elements.

The rear buildings, which were not part of the original structure, are set to be demolished and replaced with a modern, three-storey extension. The front building will be sympathetically converted to ensure the original character is retained.

Comprising a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments, the scheme will be purposefully built for owner-occupiers looking for luxurious living in a central location.

Plans for the aparthotel on Palmyra Square will convert a former post office building into 21 units for short-term accommodation, tapping into the increasing demand for serviced apartment offerings in the town.

The ground floor is currently being used as commercial space, which will remain.

The upper floors will be meticulously refurbished to deliver sought-after temporary accommodation for Warrington’s business and leisure visitors.

Dependent on planning decisions, all construction work for both projects will be carried out by Priestley’s contracting arm, Priestley Construction. The contractor specialises in the conversion and refurbishment of historical buildings.

The developments are less than 200 metres apart in a central location ideal for commuters and visitors.

Warrington high street and the Golden Square shopping centre can be found on the doorstep, while the town’s two rail stations, Warrington Central and Warrington Bank Quay, are a 10-minute walk away, providing easy access to Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and London.

Nathan Priestley, chief executive of the Priestley Group, said: “Warrington is a prime area for property investment thanks to its convenient location and buoyant property market. The town is subject to major regeneration plans and is fast becoming one of the North West’s most desirable places to live, work and visit.

“The highly-skilled team at Priestley Construction is excited to bring these two buildings back to their former glory.

“Our plans ensure that the external aesthetics remain the same, with new features complementing the existing properties. We are committed to supporting the council’s Local Plan, while still meeting demand for residential accommodation.”

Danny Inman, director of Immedi-let, said: “Warrington town centre is ripe with development opportunities, without needing to sacrifice greenbelt land.

“Renovating existing buildings is an ideal way to improve the quantity and quality of residential homes in the area, positioning Warrington as a desirable alternative to larger, surrounding cities.

“Priestley Homes has a strong record of breathing new life into old buildings and this expertise will assist us in creating over 150 new homes over the next three years, supporting Warrington Council’s intentions to improve residential accommodation throughout the town.”

Wider regeneration plans for Warrington also include new leisure and commercial facilities, such as the Time Square development that is set for completion in 2019.