Property round-up: Conlon Construction; Canal Quarter Lancaster; Three New Bailey; Montane Care; Regional Property Solutions

Conlon Construction has started stage one of a two-stage tender process via the North West Construction Hub to deliver a new extra care facility in South Ribble, which will support independent living for older people.

Planning approval has now been granted for Jubilee Gardens, located on West Paddock in Leyland, which will include 70 apartments with on-site support and facilities such as a café and hair salon, designed to help people live longer in their own homes.

Owned and managed by South Ribble Borough Council, Jubilee Gardens is the first scheme of its kind in the borough, and has been designed in a sustainable way, including improved pedestrian links to Leyland town centre, secure cycle parking and mobility scooter hire to promote the use of eco-friendly transport.

Work is planned to begin on site before the end of the year, with completion due in 2024. Applications of interest from potential residents will open from 2023.

Michael Conlon, chairman at Conlon Construction, said: “This will be a pivotal development for the local area, setting new standards in the design of extra care facilities that are so vital for the community.

“As with all of our projects, we will be ensuring that local contractors are tasked with supporting us, so we play our part in boosting businesses that, like us, contribute to the success of the local economy.

“Now that planning approval has been granted, we’ll be getting straight to work so that older residents in South Ribble can begin to experience all the benefits of Jubilee Gardens as soon as possible.”

Cllr Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “This is the first scheme of this kind for South Ribble and will provide a much-needed housing solution for our ageing population. It is exciting to see the project move on to the next stage to deliver these benefits.”

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Canal Quarter Masterplan

Proposals to breathe new life into the Canal Quarter area of Lancaster have been unveiled.

The event took place on Brewery Lane and at Kanteena onOctober 9, and gave people the opportunity to view and comment on a proposed Masterplan for the site.

A range of visuals were presented to give people a snapshot of how the Masterplan aims to create a vibrant and sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood with a mix of approximately 580 rentable and private homes. They would have their own amenity space as well as semi-private communal spaces.

Safe pedestrian and cycle friendly streets would provide new pedestrian access to Lancaster Canal and surrounding areas are also part of the plan with plenty of non residential space for business, retail, food and beverage opportunities.

The Masterplan also introduces two new public squares to provide lively social spaces for events along a new Brewery Street.

Cllr Gina Dowding, cabinet member for planning and place making, said: “Sunday’s event was a great opportunity to find out what people think about the proposals to regenerate this important site which has remained derelict for far too long.”

Lancaster’s Canal Quarter covers around six acres of land, immediately to the east of the city centre.

While the vision covers the entire site, only part of it is in the ownership of the city council. The council is in the process of a detailed review of whether it can take a role in direct delivery of housing on part of its own land, delivering affordable properties at affordable and social rent and shared ownership.

It is also working with the major private land interests and key government agencies, such as Homes England, to find solutions to overcome viability challenges.

It’s envisaged that sites will be brought forward in phases as funding opportunities become available and delivery arrangements settled.

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Jim Harra

HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Manchester Regional Centre and UK Government hub at Three New Bailey has been formally opened by chief executive Jim Harra.

The office’s distinctive red-brick weave references the area’s industrial heritage buildings and contains meeting rooms named after computer pioneer Alan Turing, Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, and landmarks including The Bridgewater Hall.

Mr Harra unveiled a plaque on October 12, which is the first mounted in a HMRC building to bear the Government department’s changed name, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, following the accession of King Charles III to the throne.

Jim Harra, HMRC’s chief executive and First Permanent Secretary, said: “Three New Bailey is a landmark building and will enable HMRC staff to work together in an inspiring modern environment which prioritises inclusive design.”

The seven-storey building will house around 3,000 HMRC staff, including those whose work focuses on customer compliance and borders and trade. It is also home to a team from the Valuation Office Agency.

Three New Bailey has been built using HMRC’s inclusive design guide, with features including step-free access to all levels and workspace finishes which balance colours and reduce glare for neurodiverse and visually impaired staff.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sir Dermot Turing, the nephew of Alan Turing.

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Marion Lauder House

Specialist business property adviser Montane Care has completed the sale of Marion Lauder House Care Home to Salutem Care, for an undisclosed sum.

Marion Lauder House is a purpose-built care home, in the Woodhouse Park area of Wythenshawe, Manchester. The home specialises in nursing care and provides day care and respite care. It is registered for 79 residents with 44 en-suite facilities.

The property has been tastefully extended to its current design and reputation and in the hands of its owners since 2004.

Tim Hussain, managing director, Marion Lauder House Care Home, said: “Upon completion it has been a great relief to finally achieve what we have been working towards, it was an overwhelming but very rewarding experience.”

Buyers, Carl Scarlett, Lynne Scarlett and Lee Stringfellow, of Salutem Care, said: “We are very excited to add Marion Lauder House to our portfolio of homes in England and the North West and are looking forward to continuing the excellent level of care delivered on a day-to-day basis to the residents of the home.”

Anthony Rae, director of Montane Care, said: “Having known my client for many years it was a pleasure to achieve multiple offers in a short period of time by selecting existing operators with proven funding.”

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Princes Chambers

The Cherry Jam, an established hospitality business, has identified Princes Chambers, on Brown Street in Stockport, as the ideal location to open a bubble tea shop and has taken the ground floor unit comprising 195 sq ft on at five-year lease at annual rent of £10,000.

Vicki Brennand, proprietor, Cherry’s Boba Shop, said: “Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980’s and is wildly popular in the Far East, but has become very popular in the UK in recent years and this was the ideal spot to open our first Bubble tea Shop.”

Specialists in quality non-surgical hair replacement systems, ‘King of Kwiffs,’ has taken Suite 2, Princess Chambers, 70 Princes Street, comprising 361 sq ft on the first floor on a two-year lease at an annual rental of £5,200.

Cullum Morris, proprietor, King of Kwiffs, said: “We have continued to grow the business and needed larger premises and Princes Chambers met our criteria in terms of accommodation and the location which is ideal for our clients.”

Regional Property Solutions manages the property on behalf of the landlord, Skelhurst, and, worked with MBRE the appointed Stockport letting agent, on the deals.