Chorlton Precinct is an outdated shopping centre comprising a 7-storey office building, 22 retail units and surface car park. 5plus was initially engaged by GMPF to prepare a framework to help guide its future redevelopment. Subsequently 5plus provided design support to Step Places and Southway Housing Trusts bid to purchase the development.

The Development Framework
In May 2017, 5plus prepared the Development Framework in consultation with GMPF, Manchester City Council and the local community.

The proposals included parameters to support a high quality, medium-density development responding to existing uses, built context and infrastructure to enhance the residential and retail offer in the district centre. Key features included:

• New housing typologies and apartments based around a new street scene of residential streets and spaces to complement the urban grain;
• New retail and F&B floor space.
• Promotion of sustainable travel integrating pedestrian and cycle-friendly permeability and provision of compliant cycle storage;
• Improved public realm through quality landscaping and tree planting.
• New car parking arrangements.

In addition to drafting the Framework we also designed the consultation documents for the public consultation events including display boards and consultation brochure.

The Developer Sketch Scheme
In responding to the development framework our sketch scheme comprised 200 dwellings including a range of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments and houses for private sale, social rent and shared ownership. Alongside the residential provision the scheme contains a vibrant mix of retail units, maker spaces, markets and cinema.

An existing service area to the north of Wilbraham Road is utilised to locate plant rooms and back of house space but is overlooked and animated by apartments above and by the introduction of landscape features and lighting. A cycle hub is also placed in this location with easy access to the new Bee Line cycle network and provide additional activity to the courtyard elevation.

The existing precinct arcade forms the footprint of a new indoor artisan market with a boutique cinema located above. Entrances are placed to activate a new east west route across the site as well as Wilbraham Road and Barlow Moor Road. To the west of the development site a new 2.5 storey decked car park is proposed.

The public realm proposals respond to the proposed build form, seeking to define a series of new character areas including squares, streets, thresholds and routes. Together these areas significantly enhance the setting of the development, create a revitalised destination in the centre of Chorlton and help integrate the proposals into the surrounding urban environment.