Bid to convert former Lloyds Chester offices into 176 apartments

Blueoak Estates, responsible for the conversion of other Chester city centre buildings in recent years on Canal Street, Northgate Street and Cuppin Street, is seeking permission for a change of use application on the seven-storey Charterhall House and adjacent four-storey Tower House on Charterhall Drive. The building, developed in the 1980s, was most recently occupied by Lloyds Banking Group prior to its relocation in 2019.

A proposal submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) says the 176 apartments would be split between one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats, and would include communal facilities such as workspaces, gyms, a cinema room and cycle and refuse stores.

No external modifications are planned to the buildings, although plans would be put in place for replacement and windows on the 9,863 square-metre site.

A design and access statement submitted by Pritchard Architectural Design on behalf of the applicants says a pre-application enquiry was made with the local authority.

CWaC's feedback was that it would not support additional storeys on the building, developments on the former office car park, or remodelling of the existing roof, but would support the conversion of the existing building into residential use, replacement of windows and creation of new openings to support the new use.

The statement adds there would be a total of 77 car parking spaces available for the 176 apartments, with 100 per cent cycle parking provision and suitable electric vehicle charging facilities.

The applicants explain the majority of the proposed apartments are one-bedroom and for rent, and that would reduce the level of car ownership, while the site is within walking distance of the town centre and rail and bus services, plus an Enterprise Car Club 550 metres away.

In addition, local amenities include Waitrose and the Boughton Pharmacy, plus several public houses.

The application is available to view on the council's planning portal.