FRESH plans have been lodged to create new homes on the former University of Law campus in Chester.
The proposed redevelopment of the recently-vacated site includes the construction of 24 detached houses and the conversion of the Grade II-listed Christleton Hall into 18 apartments.
A two-storey office building, which would become the headquarters for the Steve Morgan Foundation, is also planned along with the demolition of late 20th century education buildings.
The planning and listed building consent application submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council represents the third attempt to construct residential properties at the Christleton Hall site on Pepper Street, Christleton.
Two similar schemes lodged by the University of Law back in 2017 and 2018 were both rejected by the planning committee – despite being recommended for approval – on the grounds that the development would have an "unacceptable detrimental impact on the openness of the Green Belt" owing to its layout and scale.
How Christleton Hall would look (pic: planning application).
However, listed building consent for the conversion of Christleton Hall into residential use was approved on both occasions.
Following the refusal of the second planning application, the site was acquired by Bridgemere Land Plc who appointed a new design and technical team to re-evaluate the site and draw up a revised proposal.
In the planning and listed building consent application, submitted on their behalf by eSCAPE Urbanists Ltd, it states that of the 24 new build homes proposed, two will be three-bed, 20 will be four-bed and another two will be five-bed.
The proposed refurbishment of Christleton Hall would create 18 apartments comprising five one-bed units – four of which will be affordable housing – and 13 two-bed units.
The application says: "The site was previously occupied by the University of Law but recently became vacant when the University relocated to a designated suite of workshop rooms at the University of Chester’s Queen’s Park campus, in advance of the start of the new academic year in September.
The proposed office building (pic: planning application)
"The proposals aim to repurpose the site through the delivery of a high quality residential-led development, which would secure the future of the Grade II listed Christleton Hall through a sensitive refurbishment and conversion to create 18 apartments.
"In addition, 24 new dwellings would be constructed, together with a new office building to serve as a headquarters facility for the charitable Steve Morgan Foundation.
"The planning and listed building consent application is being submitted by Bridgemere Land Plc, a developer with significant experience of bringing back vacant brownfield sites into beneficial usage.
"The applicant’s development partners are Castle Green Homes and Blueoak Estates."
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