An ambitious plan to convert a near 200-year-old canalside warehouse into 32 apartments has been given the go-ahead.
A previous scheme to transform the Grade II-listed Bridgeworks building on the southern bank of the Bridgewater Canal in Altrincham for residential use when a 21-home scheme expired in 2007.
But now, applicants Sliverlane Developments (NW) Ltd and GSD1 Ltd – described as residential and mixed-use developers and investors – have revived the plan.
The aim is to partially demolish the existing three-storey building, repair and alter what is left and carry out a roof extension to five-storeys, with parking, a sub-station and landscaping.
The current state of the Bridgeworks building
A design and access statement submitted by Jeffrey Bell Architects alluded to the previous plan when it said: “The previous planning permission for 21 apartments, which expired in 2007, was not implemented which indicates it was not a viable proposition.
"Therefore, for any proposals to seriously move forward, bringing the listed building back into use, the proposal needs to be financially viable.”
It goes on: “The applicants can therefore only make this work financially with significantly more development at the site, and even then, it is marginal.”
What the Bridgeworks building currently looks
To meet the "initial viability constraints" and to save the listed building the scheme is for 32 two homes – 13 one-bed, 13 two-bed and with the remainder three-bed units.
The statement continues: “The development and project team’s intention are to deliver a unique project that repurposes and manages change to an important heritage asset in a way that retains and enhances its significance, whilst responding to market demand for a viable and optimal use.”
An aerial view of the Bridgeworks site
The site adjoins Urban Splash’s Bundenberg HAUS Projekte residential development to the west and the Bridgewater Canal to the north.
To the east is an office development with a surface level car park, and to the south is the Woodfield Apartments residential scheme.
Built in 18933, Bridgeworks is currently unoccupied and in a relatively advanced state of dilapidation.
The roof structure over the listed building has collapsed allowing continued weather ingress which is worsening the building state of dilapidation.
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