Patrick Properties and the McGoff Group have partnered to create a new joint venture (JV) with plans to transform the former Mercure Hotel in Bowdon, Cheshire.
After more than 12 months working closely with Trafford Council on the design of the proposed mixed used development, including a number of pre-application meetings and local engagement, the joint venture has submitted a planning application for the brownfield site.
With both Patrick Properties and the McGoff Group based in Altrincham, maintaining the rich heritage of the property forms an integral part of the design, with the historic Hydro building and Hawthorn Lea villas retained. Marrying old and new, the plans include the demolition of the conjoined buildings and the introduction of six stylish townhouses and six apartments, sympathetic to the setting.
The development will also provide a children’s day nursery with 95 places and a state-of-the-art 53-bed care facility, creating an innovative multi-generational hyperlocal community which brings young and old together.
A fresh approach, the McGoff Group are close to build completion on its successful first multi-generational development in Lymm, which includes retirement apartments, a nursery and care home. Bringing together the best of care for all members of the community, this new concept is designed to offer the potential for children and the elderly to spend regular time in each other’s company which has many proven mental and physical health-related benefits including an increased understanding and appreciation of each other’s abilities and limitations, building tolerance and compassion and helping the elderly remain more mentally and physically alert.
Taking on board every possible eventually, and in today’s post-covid world, the care home has been expertly designed with infection control at the forefront of its service, providing wide corridors, large communal areas and break out spaces to facilitate social distancing. All of the bedrooms boast en suite wet rooms, which means if an outbreak occurs residents can be cared for within their own bedroom, which in turn inherently limits the opportunity for the spread of infection throughout the environment. This is in contrast to the national picture where many homes are housed in converted properties with smaller corridors and less communal space. In addition, many such homes often only have a small proportion of their bedrooms served by en suite facilities and subsequently imposes a reliance on communal toilets and bathrooms.
The care home also intends to incorporate sustainable technology to not only make the home more energy efficient in an ear of rising energy prices, but also ensure the best value can be demonstrated when contracting with sustainably conscious bodies such as the NHS, who New Care have worked extensively within various regions around the country during the pandemic. This service has enabled the rapid discharge of elderly residents from hospital beds into purpose built homely settings, where the highest levels of care can be administered whilst ensuring hospitals had capacity to provide critical care during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Located within the Bowdon Conservation Area, the essence of the development’s design is to re-establish the character and importance of the Hydro and Hawthorn Lea buildings, as well as to significantly increase green space, with private gardens for the townhouses, extensive grounds surrounding the apartments and a secure courtyard garden with the care home.
Sympathetic to the surroundings the design comprises in the main a muted palette of light stone and Bowdon white brick, with a different brick used for the care home to give a unique identity.
Having acquired the property a few years ago, designing the right development has been a labour of love for Jordan Kennedy, Director at Patrick Properties. He says: “This project is complex and having discussed possible schemes with several developers over the last few years, forming the joint venture with the McGoff Group was absolutely the right move. Together we have created a desirable multi-generational development that retains its historic charm yet boasts contemporary character. We viewed the historic buildings as assets, so the design was developed around those, with additional landscaping essential, all in keeping with the Conservation Area.”
Chis McGoff adds: “For several years this property has been derelict and much of it an eyesore, particularly along Marlborough Road. Working with Patrick Properties on the design, along with Trafford Council, has been a lengthy but interesting process, and from this we have a devised a pioneering multi-generational development that provides a positive and long-lasting contribution to the local area.
“We are confident the boutique collection of apartments and townhouses will prove hugely popular, and having conducted comprehensive research, we believe there is a real need for a children’s day nursery and care facility, particularly purpose-built environments that are sustainable, cost efficient and specifically designed to allow for the very best care.
“Furthermore, with two Altrincham based companies coming together, the sustainable credentials of the project are heightened as local labour and supply chains will be utilised for its delivery.
“As specialists in the care and childcare sectors, we are well versed in designing, building, maintaining and operating both day nurseries and care homes, and the Group will be involved in the development after construction is completed, ensuring exemplary services are provided that are benefit to the whole community.”
Jordan Kennedy concludes: “We are hopeful the planning department will be supportive of the proposed mixed-use regeneration project. The site, which was previously developed, will offer two different types of dwellings, a care home and nursery in an accessible, highly desirable urban location, contributing to the needs of the local population right through from young to old.”
Patrick Properties and the McGoff Group anticipate a decision on the planning application in the coming months.
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