Property round-up: Persimmon; PMP; Buttress; Gecko Homes; Baily Garner; Livv Housing Group; Providence Hotels
Wirral councillors have voted unanimously to approve plans for 116 new homes in Bromborough.
The new development, by Persimmon, will be built on an unused site off Pool Lane which has stood empty since 2009.
Building on brownfield sites has been made a key part of the new government’s housing strategy as members of Wirral’s planning committee approved the application last Thursday. (September 12).
A mix of properties will be provided ranging from one-bed apartments through to four-bedroom semi and detached houses.
All homes will feature either EV chargers, solar panels, and air-source heat pumps, exceeding current building regulations.
Fourteen of the new homes will be transferred to a housing association for social and affordable rent with a further nine properties to be sold at a discount of at least 30% under the First Homes scheme.
The development will achieve a biodiversity net gain of more than 10%, through on-site enhancements and habitat improvements.
Residents will also have access to more than 2.5 acres of public open space, with a children’s play area and pedestrian and cycle path connections to Port Sunlight River Park.
Almost £350,000 of investment in the local community will be provided by Persimmon including money for improvements to Mayfield Playing Fields.
Chris Kershaw, Development Director, Persimmon North West, said: “This development will provide a range of homes, helping to meet local housing needs while also regenerating a brownfield site that has been empty for some time.
“Homeowners will benefit from easy access to local amenities, rail and bus connections as well to Port Sunlight River Park.
“In addition to delivering much needed housing, this development will secure significant investment for the Bromborough community.”
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PMP’s new Manchester office
A national building surveying and project management firm has taken a bigger office in Manchester ahead of a planned recruitment drive.
PMP, which also has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bristol, has moved its team to the second floor of The Pinnacle building on King Street, relocating from much smaller office space in Sunlight House, on Quay Street.
The prime city centre location will enable the business to house its expanding team, which is currently looking to recruit an Associate Director in Building Surveying.
PMP will also look to add three new members to its North West site in the coming months, bringing its total employees in Manchester to 12.
The expansion follows strong growth for the building surveying firm, which celebrated its fifth birthday earlier this year.
PMP recently played a key role in the successful completion of many new projects, including the re-cladding of Milliners Wharf in Ancoats.
It has also settled numerous dilapidations for both landlords and tenants including offices in Spinningfields, Manchester and industrial units across the North West.
Ben Walker, Executive Director of PMP, said: “Moving to our new site was a natural progression for the Manchester office, as the team had outgrown our previous space. After five fantastic years in business, we felt it was time to increase our presence in Manchester.
“The Pinnacle offers us a more central space to meet current and prospective clients, with better facilities to suit our business needs and a bigger space to house future employees. I’m excited to see who joins us in the future.”
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Metropolitan Cathedral. Pic: Gavin Stewart
Buttress has been appointed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool to a pivotal role in developing a number of projects that enhance and safeguard the future of the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool.
Designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and completed in 1967, the unique circular form and stained-glass lantern of the Grade II-listed cathedral are synonymous with Liverpool’s skyline. It is the largest Catholic cathedral in England and is considered one of the world’s most significant post-war buildings.
The initial phase of work includes a Quinquennial Inspection, the first ever undertaken on the cathedral, to understand the condition and issues faced by the building. The deep understanding gained of the condition of the building fabric will be used to inform a forward conservation and maintenance strategy.
Associate director at Buttress, Edward Kepczyk, said: “Conservation architecture does not stand still and we are continually adding to our understanding and skills in working with modern architectural forms, materials and construction. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is a great exemplar of the fact that the need to conserve buildings isn’t necessarily defined by age.”
In addition, Buttress has also been commissioned to undertake a strategic masterplan which looks to create a holistic vision for the cathedral, addressing the key priorities to enhance the visitor experience, utilise space better, improve the cathedral’s carbon footprint and become more financially sustainable. The strategic masterplan will identify a series of new projects that will help guide its development and renewal.
Director, Matthew Burl, said: “The Metropolitan Cathedral is iconic – it is a privilege to work with the Archdiocese to collaboratively help envisage its future. Side by side Buttress’s masterplan and QI will help us to understand the building’s present and shape its future, protecting its significance through that process.”
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Edgewater
A new waterside apartment development in Stretford is approaching completion and more than 1,000 potential buyers have already registered their interest in just 40 homes, which will be sold on a shared ownership basis, ahead of the show apartment which launched last weekend (September 14).
The development, known as Edgewater, is being developed by Gecko Homes, which is part of Southway Housing Trust, and offers a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments located at the heart of the Stretford masterplan on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal.
Through the shared ownership scheme, buyers can buy as little as 10% of the property, which would cost just £17,300 for a one-bedroom apartment and £23,400 for a two-bedroom apartment. Buyers can also choose to buy up to 75% of the homes and there is also the option to buy more shares in the future, often leading to outright ownership.
The homes will be ready to move into early next year.
Christina Tattersall, Head of Sales from Gecko Homes said: “From more than 1,000 potential buyers that have enquired about the homes, well over 300 have already passed the initial assessment, which demonstrates how many people want to live in quality homes in well connected and popular locations such as Stretford, with great amenities and regular transport links into Manchester city centre.”
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Andy Tookey
Baily Garner, a multidisciplinary construction consultancy in the UK, has announced the opening of a new office in Manchester, as part of its expansion strategy, with operations starting on September 2.
The office, at 15 Oxford Court, will offer a host of comprehensive services to Manchester, including architecture, building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, building services and sustainability advice, and CDM.
With long-established offices in London and Birmingham, Baily Garner said its latest business ambition is to deliver service excellence to clients across the North West. Tom Cadman, Associate Partner at Baily Garner, will be heading up Baily Garner’s newest office.
Managing Partner, Andy Tookey, said: “The opening of our Manchester office represents a significant step forward in our growth strategy. Having already played an integral role in developing the business in the Midlands and leading a team out of our Birmingham office, Tom is poised to bring the same level of expertise, ambition and service quality to Manchester.”
Tom Cadman said: “We are very excited about our expansion in Manchester, which opens the way for a wider audience to experience our high quality services and innovative, sustainable solutions. Committed to excellence and our purpose to positively impact people’s lives, we look forward to contributing to Manchester’s iconic cityscape as well as providing opportunities and supporting local communities.”
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First Clockwork Court resident, Brian
Knowsley-based housing association, Livv Housing Group, has handed over the first set of keys at its new-build apartments in Prescot.
Clockwork Court is an extra care apartment block that is part of the phase two development at The Watchfactory, which comprises 191 homes.
Clockwork Court is located next to the historic Grade II-listed Watchfactory building, which Livv transformed into an extra care scheme in 2018. The new three-storey building offers 25 one- and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent, providing customers aged 55 and over with the opportunity to live independently while having access to existing care services and facilities.
Yvonne Westhead-Fyles, Director of Development at Livv Housing Group, said: “We’re excited to hand over the keys to our first customer at Clockwork Court and to bring much needed new affordable homes to our local community.
“Clockwork Court is the first of our new apartment blocks. Designed for extra care, the apartments have everything our customers need to be supported in living happy and fulfilling lives.
“The building stands prominently at the front of the site. Inside, it pays tribute to the rich history of the former Watch Factory, with watch-themed motifs and signage throughout.”
The first customer to move into Clockwork Court was 79-year-old Brian. He said: “I’m absolutely elated with my new apartment. After living in my previous home for nearly 20 years, the four flights of stairs were becoming a struggle due to my medical condition.
“The new apartment block is stunning, and having a lift makes it so much easier for me.”
The final phase of the development, Watchmaker Court, has also recently been completed and will offer apartments for shared ownership.
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Mary Mount Hotel
Providence Hotels, a Bath-based hotel management company, has concluded the lease acquisition of Mary Mount Hotel, a picturesque property located in the heart of the Lake District, for an undisclosed sum.
This marks a significant milestone in Providence Hotels’ expansion strategy and solidifies its commitment to managing premier hotel properties across the UK.
Situated on the shores of Derwentwater, Mary Mount Hotel is renowned for its idyllic setting, offering guests panoramic views of the lake and surrounding fells. The hotel boasts a rich history, with a reputation for exceptional hospitality, making it a sought after destination for leisure and business travellers.
When the family initially acquired the hotel, it was an Arts and Crafts building, with only 14 bedrooms. Over time, it has steadily evolved.
Sybrand Engelbrecht, Business Development Director at Providence Hotels, highlighted the long term benefits of this acquisition, saying: “This partnership, with the owners of Mary Mount Hotel, reflects our commitment to sustainable growth and long term value creation. By securing this lease, we not only expand our operational footprint but also strengthen our ability to deliver increased revenue streams for our stakeholders.
“This property perfectly aligns with our strategic vision of expanding into key locations across the UK, particularly in areas that offer a unique and memorable guest experience. We look forward to enhancing the hotel’s offerings while preserving its charm and character.”
