Property briefs: Downing; How Planning; AEW; MEPC Birchwood Park
LIVERPOOL property group Downing has won approval for a 700-bed student scheme in Glasgow.
The £60m scheme in Beith Street consists of two 10-storey buildings.
Designed by Liverpool architect, Falconer Chester Hall, the project will form part of the wider Glasgow harbour masterplan and should be finished by September 2015.
Paul Houghton from Downing said: “Glasgow is an exciting city with a burgeoning student population and we’re delighted to be making strides on this ambitious scheme, which will revitalise this area and help to address the pressing need for quality student accommodation in the city.
“As one of the UK’s biggest student accommodation providers, we’re invested in ensuring our schemes offer the very best in terms of quality and location and provide students with a home from home – helping them to make the most of their university experience.”
Meanwhile, Downing has signed up London business consultant Quantum of Value to its Port of Liverpool building. It has taken 1,000 sq ft and plans to take on eight to 10 staff.
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ROCHDALE Council has approved plans for a 25,000 sq ft Tesco close to Littleborough town centre, near Rochdale.
The scheme involves the relocation of fibre optic cable manufacturer Carlisle Interconnect Technologies to make way for the supermarket which is being developed by Trafford-based Property Alliance Group.
The planning process has been handled by Manchester-based HOW Planning. Principal planner Daniel Brown said: “We are delighted to have secured permission having worked hard to convince the local authority of the merits of our planning case and look forward to seeing this important site being redeveloped.
“It represents the only real opportunity to expand and enhance the food retail offer of Littleborough so that weekly shopping needs can be met locally.”
Saunders acted as architects on the scheme whilst Lexington Communications advised on the public consultation process.
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MANCHESTER architect AEW has submitted plans on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities for two new schemes in Nottingham and Cardiff.
AEW has a long association with the charity, which provides accomodation to the parents and carers of children in hospital. It has previously designed houses for families in Manchester, completed in 2012, and Birmingham in 2009. A new AEW-designed house is also currently under construction in Southampton.
The Cardiff scheme, located at University Hospital Wales, involves refurbishing of an existing facility into a 24-bed block. Cardiff City Council is due to give its decision later this month. The second application is for a new-build, 59-bedroom house in Nottingham, adjacent to the Queens Medical Centre.
AEW managing director Steve Burne said: “Ronald McDonald House Charities provides an essential service to families in the most difficult circumstances and these two proposals offer an opportunity to expand that support. Although there are similarities between the facilities, each has its own design relevant to its surroundings.”
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MEPC Birchwood Park has unveiled plans for a £4.7m revamp of Thomson House.
The project, designed by BDP and Fuse, represents the biggest investment by MEPC across its portfolio of UK-wide business parks.
It includes the complete recladding of the building while interiors will be updated. The finished building will provide a mix of office space from 800 to 18,000 sq ft.
Andrew Cowell, commercial director of Birchwood Park, said: “Exciting things are happening at Birchwood Park. MEPC’s commitment to the Birchwood area has been demonstrated time and again since arriving 15 years ago, and this particular investment shows that there’s no sign of slowing down.”
