"Floating" houses planned for Lancs quarry site

DEVELOPER Mainsprint has submitted an outline planning application to redevelop a former quarry site at Appley Bridge in West Lancashire into a mixed-use scheme containing apartments, family homes, a hotel, restaurant and community facilities.

The planning application for the East Quarry site has been submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council by Wigan-based planning consultancy, Steven Abbott Associates.

The scheme has been designed by Appley Bridge-based Peter Dickinson Architects.  The outstanding elements of the scheme are the ‘floating’ houses and restaurant on water which has filled the void since quarrying ceased in 1992.

Christie McDonald, associate at Steven Abbott Associates, said: “This is a scheme which has taken many years to reach submission stage.

“During this period. there have been high level discussions with West Lancashire Borough Council and extensive public consultation has also taken place.”

The plans include a new community centre and space for parking for commuters to alleviate local traffic problems.

McDonald said: “The houses and apartments sited on the sides of the quarry will have excellent views of the water and the new community centre will replace the existing, outdated structure with an excellent, modern facility.

“The floating elements of the scheme are considered to be a highly innovative method of utilising the existing features of the quarry and thus avoiding the need to infill the site; something which the local residents had voiced their concerns about and we were therefore keen to avoid.”

Mainsprint intends to start marketing the site once planning permission has been obtained.