Approval for 24-apartment scheme in shadow of Grand National racecourse

Sefton Council has approved a new 24-apartment development on a site next to the world famous Aintree racecourse.

SDA Architecture, based in Oxton, Wirral, secured full planning permission for the scheme which will boast views overlooking the world-renowned parade ring.

A two-storey restaurant will be replaced by a five-storey newbuild on the 1,340 sq m site comprising a mix of one- and two-bed apartments over a secure under-croft residents’ car park.

Architects had to ensure that the structure did not overshadow the cultural and heritage significance of the neighbouring racecourse building.

Running centrally through the site is a right of way known to racecourse visitors and operatives as the ‘Sefton Arms Entrance’ – the second busiest racecourse entrance during race days. The new building has been designed specifically to respond to the prominence of the site.

This design of the apartment block will also preserve and enhance views of the Grandstand from Park Lane, while announcing the main entrance to passengers from Aintree rail station, directly opposite the new development.

Barrie Rea, director at SDA Architecture, said: “It’s been a privilege for our team to bring forward these plans for a new development adjacent to perhaps the most famous racecourse in the world.

“Throughout this process, we’ve been committed to ensuring that this development not only respects, but enhances, the local surroundings. Our designs reflect the rich history of Aintree and the Grand National and are also sympathetic to what is required of new apartment developments in the wake of COVID-19.”

The development will enable Dragonboard to showcase its latest modern method of construction. It aims to build the 24 apartments to Net Zero Carbon efficiency.

Dragonboard Intelligent Panels, or DIPs, are a type of structurally insulated panel which will be used to construct the building envelope, offering excellent thermal performance, lightweight structural strength, and time and cost saving benefits over traditional construction methods. The magnesium board that sandwiches the solid polyurethane core offers excellent fire-resistant qualities.