PLANNERS are being asked to allow a vacant Grade II Listed building on Bridge Street, Warrington to be transformed into 13 apartments to create more town centre living accommodation.
The plan is to conserve the main façades of the front of the building, while extending it at the rear, ensuring the long term future of the premises which have been empty for several years.
Applicant Martin Stringer (Northwold Investments Ltd) is seeking planning permission and listed building consent to convert 12-14 Bridge Street, to form 8 apartments within existing building, including addition of mezzanines and demolition of rear non original single storey extension, and construction of a new multi storey linked block for 5 apartments.
The building is Grade II listed and located on Bridge Street in the centre of Warrington, located within the Town Centre Conservation Area.
The site comprises a 3-storey building above ground level with plus a basement. The last use of the building was a retail space at ground and basement level, both levels were inter-connected withstorage/ancillary space to the upper floor levels.
The front elevation to Bridge Street is of interesting design and well detailed within the characteristics of the listing. The elevation appears original with white painted timber windows sitting within the stone façade. The shop frontage however is modern.
The rear of the building is built in a red brick with white timber sash windows.
The building has been vacant for several years and has sadly been neglected and in need of comprehensive refurbishment.
The building appears in good overall structural order but the condition of the fabric notably the windows need refurbishing. In addition, all building services need to be stripped out and renewed.
A Design Statement in support of the application states that the building presents an interesting opportunity to provide town centre living spaces within the historic Bridge Street setting, making good use of the high spaces presents the opportunity to explore the introduction of mezzanines and to create bed deck areas and duplex apartments.
The rear of the building is currently a disparate arrangement of odd shaped roofs set back from the street at low level creating a break in the street scene.
A courtyard is created to allow light and air to the rear of the existing building and balcony decks provide access from the stair tower to the apartments within the extension block. A passageway to the rear provides an alternative access for escape and servicing and can be used for the access to the ground level apartment facing Barbauld Street.
The shop frontage is split to form a commercial entrance and the main entrance to the apartments.
The plan is to conserve the main façades and where possible retain existing windows where these can be refurbished.
The conversion and subsequent occupation of the building for residential use will ensure its long term survival and enhance the buildings fabric. The scheme as proposed is viable and meets market demand ensuring it will be successful and guarantee the listed buildings long term future. Providing town centre living
accommodation in a repurposed building ‘living over the shop’ is a sustainable form of development. The proposal to build the rear extension block enhances the street scene improving the urban grain but also provides economic support to the conversion element.
Warrington Borough Council planners will make a decision under delegated powers.
