Property round-up: Frank Whittle Partnership; MCR Property; Regional Property Solutions; Mulbury

A major refurbishment of Preston College’s Construction Department is set to get under way, heralding the start of an exciting new chapter for its staff and learners.

Preston-based architecture, design and masterplanning practice Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) is leading the project which will support the introduction of new Professional Construction T-Level courses.

Preston College is one of almost 50 Further Education establishments sharing a £48.5m pot from the Department for Education to fund refurbishments in advance of the new courses. FWP’s design work includes remodelling the building, with the creation of a bright, modern exterior and a new mezzanine level for the delivery of the T-Level courses, an alternative to A-Levels, apprenticeships and other 16-to-19 courses. Equivalent to three A-Levels, a T-Level course focuses on vocational skills.

The revamp of the construction department building on its Fulwood campus will ensure learners have access to the latest technology and equipment, combined with high specification industry-standard facilities.

Neil Ainsworth, partner at FWP, which also has offices in Manchester and London, said: “Our brief has been to create a learning environment that will give learners the best facilities, technology and equipment for the delivery of the new curriculum. To that end we’ve worked very closely with the college’s construction department staff.

“Preston College has built up a great reputation for high quality technical learning in the construction sector, creating a pipeline of talented, professionally qualified people that businesses across the region can tap into. The new facilities we are delivering will help the college continue on that mission, by giving staff and students the very best environment for success as they embark on the new T-Levels.”

The building work is being carried out by Longridge-based construction company Carefoot. Managing director, Colin Carefoot, said: “Carefoot has been supporting colleges in the development of the new Construction T-Levels through the pilot schemes over the last two years. To be working with Preston College to directly address the construction skills shortage in Lancashire is a great opportunity. Directly employed apprentices have already been selected from Preston College by Carefoot, and our local supply chain is helping to deliver our training pledge to the college with three bricklaying apprentices studying at the college already working on the project.”

::

The Wharf

MCR Property Group says 50% of the new homes at its new canal side development, The Wharf in Altrincham, have sold out, with the remainder expected to sell by the time the Stamp Duty holiday is phased out at the end of September.

Situated on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal, the Wharf will consist of 44 one-to-three-bedroom apartments alongside five townhouses with prices starting at £209,950. There will be 57 on-site car parking spaces, including five electric vehicle charging points.

Named by The Sunday Times earlier this year as the best place to live in the North West, Altrincham boasts leafy canal bank walks, colourful markets and a buzzing independent restaurant scene.

Jennifer Iftakhar, business development manager at MCR Property Group, said: “The property market in the North West has been running on rocket fuel for some time now and sales at The Wharf demonstrate that.

“With property transactions up more than 200% nationally year-on-year, we expect the remainder of our units to be snapped up by the time the Stamp Duty Holiday tapers out in September.”

The five-storey 33,389 sq ft development was first marketed at the beginning of the year and buyers are now expected to receive their keys this winter.

::

The Downs

Altrincham’s landmark building at 1-5 The Downs is retaining its popularity as one of the town’s office venues of choice.

Touch has just moved into Suite 4, on the first floor at 1 The Downs, having agreed a three-year lease on the 600 sq ft office accommodation.

The firm provides lead generation services and training to law firms to help them successfully run claims in all areas of financial irregularities, including Plevin PPI, secret commission and motor finance claims.

Touch chairman, Rodney Gardner, said: “We were looking to relocate from Hale village and this iconic building in the centre of Altrincham certainly met our criteria in terms of space along with all the essentials and leisure amenities on our doorstep.

“The ideal location from which to continue our expansion, which has seen our team grow to 11 in recent months, will allow us to meet our goal of 20 by the end of 2021”.

Daniel Lee, managing director, Regional Property Solutions, responsible for the management and letting of the building on behalf of the landlord ,TELL Holdings, said: “Any available office space in this building lets very quickly and this was no exception and it is fully let.”

::

Daisy Bank Meadows show home

A multimillion-pound development of affordable homes in Euxton, Chorley, is nearing completion, with the first of 51 new homes handed over.

Developer Mulbury has worked with registered housing provider One Vision Housing to bring the new properties to life, which are being made available for shared ownership and affordable rent.

Supported by a £2m grant funding from Homes England – which aids in bringing properties to a new and thriving suburban area – the Daisy Bank Meadows development comprises a mix of 41 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and 10 one-bedroom apartments.

Arranged around two culs-de-sac, the Daisy Bank Meadow scheme also features a public green created around an existing pond. Located between the A49 Wigan Road, Dunrobin Drive and the River Yarrow, it is close to local shops, services and transport routes.

Greg Mulligan, director of Mulbury, said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with One Vision Housing to deliver these much needed affordable homes in Euxton.

“The scheme will help plug the gap for well priced homes in this area of Chorley and will enable local people to stay close to family and the area they grew up in a more affordable way.”

Ian Mitchell, managing director for One Vision Housing, said: “We’re pleased to see residents moving into our first phase of homes at Daisy Bank Meadows in Euxton.

“Our collection of new energy-efficient homes forms part of our plans to be net zero carbon by 2050 and will offer affordable tenures to the area, with opportunities for local residents to get onto the property ladder through shared ownership.”