Parbold Plans Unanimously Approved

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December, 2023

Parbold Plans Unanimously Approved

Proposals to redevelop the site of a Victorian villa in Parbold have been approved.

We are delighted that our proposals to redevelop the site of a Victorian villa in the lovely West Lancashire town of Parbold have been approved.

We worked closely with the Parish Council, the planning and tree officers and neighbours in finalising plans, and the scheme was welcomed as: “a benefit for all the community”.

And it will be a very special PJ Livesey project – a total of just 23 homes set within extensive walled gardens with mature trees and hedged walkways that will be improved and maintained for residents to enjoy.

At the centre will be Lancaster House, built in 1845 for Hugh Ainscough. It was used by the family up until 1929 when it was first rented, then purchased, by The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur UK, who occupied the 6.5-acre site up until 2021.

Our plans will see the main house, converted to create four grand apartments, and original features like a sweeping staircase and ornate ceiling will be retained. The views from the large windows at the front of the house onto the gardens are glorious.

An adjoining cottage will be restored as a single unique property and the estate’s stable block, which includes a distinctive brick tower, will be converted to provide five properties.

A 1980’s accommodation block will be demolished and 13 new build family houses built in the grounds.

There will be a pedestrian route from the Grade II listed Our Lady and All Saints Church through to Lancaster Lane.

PJ Livesey managing director, Georgina Lynch, said: “Lancaster House has a grand history and connection with the Ainscough family who played such an important role in the area’s development.

“Our plans will safeguard the building and the original layout of the gardens and we are delighted they have now been approved. We would anticipate work to start on site in spring next year with the first homes available in 2025.”

Wish Came True for Andy and Annette

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December, 2023

Wish Came True for Andy and Annette

“Ten years on that’s exactly what’s happened! We moved in August and absolutely love it.”

Andy and Annette Harris used to sneak through the Standish Estate site in the Cotswolds when the old hospital buildings had closed and the site lay shuttered and abandoned.

Annette said: “We would cut down from Standish woods and walk past the old buildings back to the road and I remember saying; ‘I do wish someone would do something with the site. It would be a wonderful place to live.’

“Ten years on that’s exactly what’s happened! We moved here in August and absolutely love it.”

Before moving to Green Walk the couple, who have three grown up children and six grandchildren, lived nearby in the village of Eastington, in a large, modern detached home.

Annette, a retired teacher, said: “It was a gorgeous, gorgeous house with a galleried hallway, lots and lots of bedrooms and a big garden and it was perfect for when the children were growing.

“But I knew it needed money spending on it and as the list of things grew longer and the potential cost went up we decided to look at what else was available and one wet Sunday afternoon I turned on the computer to start searching and Green Walk came up.

“We knew exactly where it was so enquired and Helene rang us back and suggested we come up for a look. Three days later our house was on the market!”

The couple bought a three-bedroom property in The Residence but say they would have been happy with a number of potential homes.

“Initially I didn’t think three bedrooms would be big enough but we walked through the door and it just felt right. And for us it was time to move on and downsize and getting rid of things was quite cathartic,” recalls Annette.

The couple’s property initially sold quickly but they had two buyers change their mind before finally agreeing a sale that went through.

Annette said: “It was an anxious time and we did not think PJ Livesey would keep the house for us but they did and we are grateful for that. Helene was wonderful throughout and I cannot praise her enough. She kept us informed, kept us encouraged and I am so grateful to her for being with us all the way.”

Now happily moved in the couple are enjoying meeting their neighbours and say there is a strong feeling of community with informal events organised and a shared love of the beautiful site.

Annette added: “The restoration of the main house is magnificent and I didn’t realise PJ Livesey had saved so many heritage properties right across the country. It is exactly what sites like this should become and they do it so very well.

“We feel so lucky. We have seen two seasons here and I love opening the curtains in the morning, sitting in bed with a cup of tea and noting the change in the trees. Autumn here was stunning and the recent frost made it truly magical.”

Wreath Laid at Gateway of Remembrance

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November, 2023

KINGS’ GATEWAY OF REMEMBRANCE

A wreath of poppies was laid at the former King’s School in Macclesfield

A wreath of poppies was laid at the Gateway of Remembrance at the former King’s School in Macclesfield to honour former pupils lost in both World Wars.

The Remembrance Day ceremony was led by members of the town’s Royal British Legion, with four standard bearers, and attended by the Mayor, Cllr Christopher Wilcock.

The gateway – commissioned in memory of former pupils lost in the Second World War – have now been restored and re-erected on the edge of the former cricket field.

PJ Livesey managing director, Georgina Lynch said: “The gateway is a well-loved feature of the King’s School site and will remain part of the new King’s Gate development.

“The Cricket Pavilion – erected in memory of pupils lost in the first World War – is also being retained and will be re-purposed to provide two affordable homes.

“We wanted to mark the repositioning of the gateway and pay our respects over the Remembrance Weekend and would like to thank the Royal British Legion for leading the ceremony and to everyone who attended.”

Chorlton Shopping Centre Redevelopment Consultation

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November, 2023

Redevelopment Consultation

For the Chorlton Shopping Centre in South Manchester

The second stage of public consultation on our plans to redevelop the Chorlton Shopping Centre site in south Manchester is now underway.

Following significant input from the local community, architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and landscape architects Randall Thorp, have designed a new masterplan for the site that will transform Barlow Moor Road into a bustling shopping street and deliver a diverse mix of around 200 new homes.

Based on the Development Framework adopted by Manchester City Council in 2017, the revised scheme would also bring improvements to green spaces with new planting across the site to improve biodiversity and the creation of a linear park.

The plans would see Barlow Moor Road transformed with flexible commercial space suitable for a range of operators at street level and apartments above. Mature trees would be retained with improved planting to create opportunities for outdoor seating.

The new homes would include one, two and three bedroom apartments and duplexes all with balconies and access to communal residential gardens, and a street of town houses with bay windows and brick detailing to reflect the existing neighbourhood.

Around 20% of the homes will be available through a Registered Provider for rent or shared ownership.

Whilst the route from Nicolas Road to Barlow Moor Road would remain open, it is planned for the junction between Nicolas Road and Manchester Road to be closed to vehicles. This would create space for lush new planting, as well as pedestrian-first walkable streets.

Public consultation drop-in events with the opportunity to discuss plans with the full team will be held in a vacant unit opposite Timpsons in the shopping precinct on the following days:
Saturday 18 November: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday 21 November: 12pm – 6pm

Follow-up sessions will also be available on:
Friday 24 November: 10am – 4pm
Thursday 30 November: 10am-4pm
Monday 4 December: 10am – 4pm

More information and an online questionnaire to give feedback can be found at: www.onechorlton.co.uk

Standish House and Stables

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October, 2023

STANDISH HOUSE & STABLES Coming Soon

Heritage homes soon to be released at Green Walk, Standish

A unique part of Cotswold heritage now converted to create sumptuous, individual homes.

Standish House and its adjoining traditional stable block were built around 1830 as part of a vast estate belonging to James Dunnton, Lord Sherbourne of Gloucestershire.

He lived in the handsome, rendered villa for about 20 years and was responsible for overseeing the planting of a rich arboretum with specimen trees and shrubs collected from across the world.

The house was later rented out, leased at one time to industrialist Richard Potter, one of whose eight children was Martha Beatrice Potter, later Webb, (Baroness Passfield) would become a great economist, socialist and social reformer who was instrumental in the formation of the Fabian Society.

The house served as a hospital during the wars and because of its elevated, privileged location, later became a specialist centre for the treatment of tuberculosis.

The PJ Livesey Group is respecting this rich social history, conserving the past by converting the house and its grounds into new homes.

STANDISH HOUSE
Standish House will provide just 12 grand apartments, each one unique, each one a very special privileged place to live.

These are luxurious spaces, many with high ceilings, intricate cornicing, huge windows and the highest specification of kitchens and bathrooms.

All have their own private outside space either a secluded roof top terrace, spacious balcony or private garden.

STANDISH HOUSE STABLES
The original stables are being converted to create two, three-bedroom houses and two with four-bedrooms.

These character houses sit around their own private walled courtyard offering well designed living space perfect for growing families or first-time buyers.

The Christie ‘Walk of Hope’

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October, 2023

THE CHRISTIE ‘WALK OF HOPE’ AT TATTON PARK

One Team, One Week, 1,000 Miles!

PJ Livesey colleagues took part in this year’s ‘Walk of Hope’ through Tatton Park to support The Christie hospital in Manchester.

But in typical PJ Livesey style we added to the challenge by committing to walk every day in the week leading up to the walk and also remember and celebrate the life of colleague Ralph Brocklehurst who sadly died from cancer last year.

‘Tread it for Ralph’ saw colleagues clocking up the miles on a treadmill in our Trafford Park HQ entrance throughout the week ahead of the actual walk with a final push tied in with a social event at the offices.

We were aiming for a total of 500 miles but in total walked a staggering 1,368 miles and raised £7,234.

The care Ralph received from The Christie was exceptional and every penny raised will help fund more research and care.

In 2021, we raised £11,000 walking, running and cycling 25,000 miles, ‘Around the World for Ralph’. You can read more about ‘Around the World for Ralph here.

A spokesperson for The Christie said: “It was wonderful to see more than 50 staff and their families join us for our recent ‘Walk of Hope’ event. This is an exceptional turnout from one company and not only is it a lasting testament to a wonderful colleague, but the money raised will make a very real difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families. Well done everyone involved and a huge thank you from all at The Christie.”