Now the Precinct has served Chorlton well and if it is now in need of a little tender care and attention that is only to be expected.
It was designed in the late 1960s and finished by 1973 and really is a piece of retail development of its time.
During its construction we lost sixteen properties which had been built in the late 19th century and a section of the historic Manchester Road which vanished under the car park.
To its detractors the Precinct is a closed place, which is locked up at night and faces inwards offering little from Barlow Moor Road, other than that expanse of tired grass while the central area is not an inviting place to sit and relax.
Added to which there is Graeme House which is a brutal lump of a building too big and totally out of keeping with its surroundings.
All of that said I do like the Precinct, and even on a wet day in November it has lots going for it, from the mix of shops to the produce which occupies the space in front of Adams the grocers.
The plans for its redevelopment have tumbled off the table over the years but never materialised.
And now there are a fresh set of ideas which proposes a new residential led mixed use scheme.*
The document makes much of the buzz word “urban grain” talks of being pedestrian and cycle friendly and of promoting sustainable travel.
And itoffers up more residential accommodation in an area which is very popular and I might add an area where property values are now so high that none of my children who were born here could afford.
Of course some will argue so what?
The market drives all, and anyway no one should assume that an accident of birth guarantees them a place in a “chick, quirky and desirable suburb”.
Well I disagree, but that debate I will leave for now.
What does concern me is the scale of the large block which fronts Barlow Moor Road.
If the artist’s impression is to be taken as the plan then the building running from Sunwick House which is now the bank down to Manchester Road rises above the surrounding skyline and sits awkwardly with the existing Victorian and Edwardian properties.
Leaving aside Graeme House the present Precinct does not overwhelm you. It may appear boring and unimaginative but it is on scale that many will find comfortable.
Of course 40 years ago its critics will have pointed out just how uniform it was, differing little from similar developments across the country, lacking in character and totally out of place.
All of which may be true, but it is a criticism which could be made of the latest plan.
Well we shall see.
The public consultation will run till December 15 2017 and comments and observations can be left at www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations
Location; Chorlton;
Pictures; the Precinct,2015, from the collection of Andy Robertson, the area in 1894, from the OS for South Lancashire 1894, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/ and corner of , Manchester Road, Nicolas Road, Barlow Moor Road A H Downes, 1958, m18046, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
*Chorlton Precinct Development Framework Summary 2017
 |
| The Precinct, 2015 |
During its construction we lost sixteen properties which had been built in the late 19th century and a section of the historic Manchester Road which vanished under the car park.
To its detractors the Precinct is a closed place, which is locked up at night and faces inwards offering little from Barlow Moor Road, other than that expanse of tired grass while the central area is not an inviting place to sit and relax.
 |
| Manchester Road, 1894 |
All of that said I do like the Precinct, and even on a wet day in November it has lots going for it, from the mix of shops to the produce which occupies the space in front of Adams the grocers.
The plans for its redevelopment have tumbled off the table over the years but never materialised.
And now there are a fresh set of ideas which proposes a new residential led mixed use scheme.*
The document makes much of the buzz word “urban grain” talks of being pedestrian and cycle friendly and of promoting sustainable travel.
 |
| Manchester Road, Nicholas Road & Barlow Moor Road, 1958 |
Of course some will argue so what?
The market drives all, and anyway no one should assume that an accident of birth guarantees them a place in a “chick, quirky and desirable suburb”.
Well I disagree, but that debate I will leave for now.
What does concern me is the scale of the large block which fronts Barlow Moor Road.
If the artist’s impression is to be taken as the plan then the building running from Sunwick House which is now the bank down to Manchester Road rises above the surrounding skyline and sits awkwardly with the existing Victorian and Edwardian properties.
Of course 40 years ago its critics will have pointed out just how uniform it was, differing little from similar developments across the country, lacking in character and totally out of place.
All of which may be true, but it is a criticism which could be made of the latest plan.
Well we shall see.
The public consultation will run till December 15 2017 and comments and observations can be left at www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations
Location; Chorlton;
Pictures; the Precinct,2015, from the collection of Andy Robertson, the area in 1894, from the OS for South Lancashire 1894, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/ and corner of , Manchester Road, Nicolas Road, Barlow Moor Road A H Downes, 1958, m18046, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
*Chorlton Precinct Development Framework Summary 2017
Its not a town centre that suits tall buildings, in fact anything more than 3 floors doesn't look right. I hope it's realised, before it's too late - again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this well written article. I'm a Chorltonian and I am very unhappy with the proposed plans for the precinct and the baths and Ryebank Fields. As Chorlton-cum-Hardy has become 'trendy' so have prices rose and locals pushed out. Where any bit of space is built upon for flats. The old swimming baths were descibed as an ugly building by Sheila Newman (Labour councillor)?
ReplyDeleteI think it is beautiful and such local architecture should be cherished. Not replaced by an ugly block of flats. It's all about the money and those in the power, as elected by their constituents (they are suppose to represent, not the developer's). We are finding are abusing their position!
I disagree about our three local councillors Anonymous who I know to be hard working elected representatives committed to working on behalf of Chorlton, and would reject any suggestion of collusion developers.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is that we do need new houses but not necessarily the plans put forward. I have mixed feelings about the Baths. I never really took to it for a long time but have come to like it and see it as a piece of our history but is this always sufficient to maintain a property in the face of homes for people?