Fresh plans for flats in former Macclesfield Court submitted
A former court in Macclesfield could become living accommodation.
Macclesfield Magistrates Court - which shut in September 2016 - has had thousands of criminals and legal staff pass through their doors, and you could soon move into it if plans are approved by councillors.
There are two new separate planning applications regarding the Hibel Road building.
The first on the Cheshire East Council planning portal to be submitted is 22/4361M. It expands on the already approved February 2020 decision - first submitted in late 2018 - which first came up with the idea to create of 12 yet-to-be-built apartments in the former law building (18/6014M).
However, the world has changed a lot in three years and so has the developer, first being a Bollington firm and now an Altrincham one called RA Macclesfield Limited.
So the new team behind the housing plans have resubmitted an application, which may see the conditions of the prior approval reduced and make it easier to build on.
There was six conditions regarding 12 flats on the ground, upper and second floors of the building. (A proposed second floor would also be constructed on top.)
These included a "clean façade" and an extensive ventilation system to protect the health of the residents, as Hibel Road is one of Cheshire's most polluted roads for air quality.
The number of clauses could reduce, increase or stay the same with the new application. However, it will be in the name of the current property developers with their chosen architect and construction team.
A document claims changes from the pre-approved historic application are "minor" and "and do not require any change to the approved description of development"
The document penned by Manchester firm Mialex states: "The proposed scheme will deliver the same number of residential dwellings within the same overall mix of units (aside from negligible differences in the number of bedrooms within four of the apartments at ground and first floor level and will essentially comprise the same cumulative residential floorspace as the approved scheme.
"In breaking down the scope and extent of proposed amendments on a floor by floor basis, this submission demonstrates that the proposed scheme will deliver the same number of residential dwellings within a similar mix (18 bedrooms/29 bedspaces) compared to the approved scheme (which comprises 16 bedrooms/30 bedspaces) and will comprise the same cumulative residential floorspace."
These will be balanced between one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, should councillors give it the green light.
The supporting statement concludes with: "The amended scheme represents a more efficient internal layout which ensures that future occupiers will continue to benefit from acceptable living conditions given that all apartments will meet or exceed national floorspace standards and all habitable rooms will benefit from outlook and sunlight/daylight in the same manner as the existing planning permission.
"The same number of car and cycle parking spaces as the approved scheme will be provided and the external alterations proposed are minor in nature and will enhance the visual appearance of the approved scheme. Accordingly, the proposed changes to the scheme do not result in any new planning issues and the scheme will remain in full compliance with both national and local policy."
And that is that for the first new application. But the second application on the same site seems less likely to happen as it regards apartments not visible from street level.
However, this likelihood statement is not representative of the Council, applicants or consultancies and is merely speculation.
The Cheshire East Council planning application (22/4362M) reveals a change of use application for "the former magistrates court at basement level to form two residential apartments (Class C3) with associated external alterations, parking provision, refuse and cycle storage."
One would be a one bedroom apartment, the other two bedroom.
This would bring the total apartments to 14. The choice of a separate submission not only expands on the number of flats in the old and other new application, but it also implies that it being a separate application it will not affect the chances of the other being approved.
This application of this separate basement pair of apartments would also increase the parking spaces by one to 13.
A nearby resident commented on 22/4362M with the following "The proposal would add further residential units in the building (the subject of a related application 22/4361M) - the residential conversion is appropriate given the character of adjacent development.
"The parking provision shown is perhaps a little unusual and may result in some congestion at the end of the street during turning movements.
"Given the acoustic environment adjacent to a busy road and the prospect of vehicle emissions penetrating the building it is suggested that appropriate mitigation measures be undertaken to protect the amenities and health of prospective occupiers."
A target decision date for both 22/4361M and 22/4362M was set for January 2. This has since expired with councillors yet to vote on the matter. In the meantime, a blue cover has donned the building.
In a request for comment by Macclesfield Nub News to Cheshire East Council, a spokesperson said "The answer is no it has not been determined yet."
What do you think should happen with the old Macclesfield Magistrates Court? Join in the conversation on our social media...
Macclesfield Magistrates Court was one of almost one hundred UK courts shut in 2016. It shut alongside the old Macclesfield County Court on Park Green.
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