Situated on the corner of Barlow Moor Road and Wilbraham Road, right in the middle of Chorlton, I think it’s safe to say that the Precinct has seen better days – and is in fact looking rather tired.
Many will say that this is a gross understatement, but fear not Chorlton residents and visitors, it seems that the decade-long redevelopment plans are finally seeing some movement – that’ll hopefully see the area transformed with new retail space, townhouses, apartments and green public space.
The current site is owned by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) and is made up of a seven storey office building, retail units (including a great British Heart Foundation and W.F. Butchers) and parking for 200 cars.
However, the re-development of the area has been in the pipeline for years, and the GMPF are now seeking a development partner so that they can revamp the site and transform it into a “residential-led, mixed-use” scheme.
The new proposals include:
– New retail spaces along Manchester Road that join up with the district centre.
– New townhouses and apartments that complement the area.
– Cycle storage and safe routes through the site to promote walking and cycling car parking.
– An attractive environment created by landscaping and tree planting.
This ‘Development Framework’ is still in the early stages, but if the GMPF manage to get a development partner, they’d be looking to begin work as soon as possible to transform this end of the town.
Stanley Square
In this respect I believe they could take a leaf out of the book of Stanley Square down in Sale, which was a run-down, shabby 60s concrete precinct for years, before a transformation began in earnest in 2020.
It’s now set to be home to an impressive range of quality independent operators, from Sugo Pasta Kitchen, to General Stores and even a brand-new Blanchflower – supreme brunch specialists of Altrincham.
Keep your eyes peeled for any further announcements or developments.
