MAJOR plans to transform the former Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre into a thriving new destination to live and shop are set to commence with demolition.
Following planning approval at the end of 2025 the phase one of the regeneration involves dismantling the former Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre and Graeme House buildings.
The first step will be to close the precinct car park at the end of May 2026. At the same time, new hoardings will be installed around the site and the cut through via Manchester Road to Nicolas Road will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles, to ensure safety.
The demolition work will be carried out by SJ Walchester and is expected to begin in mid-June and complete in August.
Where possible, materials from the existing buildings will be reused during construction of the new neighbourhood. This will help reduce the number of vehicles needed to remove materials from the site.
Georgina Lynch, managing director at PJ Livesey, said:
“Demolition marks another major milestone for the projectwhich will completely transform the former shopping centre. Keeping local people safe and minimising disruption is our top priority. We’ve been working with the existing traders to carefully manage any disruption during the demolition. This has included arranging new servicing access for the businesses on Wilbraham Road.
“Our demolition contractor will carefully manage any issuesthroughout the work, and we will continue to stay in regular contact with local residents and businesses as the demolition progresses.”
Brought forward by Manchester-based PJ Livesey, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, the plans will create a diverse mix of homes and revitalised retail spaces that will create a new beating heart for the community.
The approved plans include262 one-, two- and three-bed apartments, all with access to outdoor space through balconies and gardens as well as 53 affordable homes available through a mix of tenures, with 49 of these being available for social rent
Working in partnership with Southway Housing Trust, PJ Livesey and the GMPF will deliver 49 homes for social rent in the neighbourhood to address the shortage of affordable housing in Chorlton, especially smaller homes one and two-bed apartments.
All the homes will be designed and built to reduce energy demand and resident bills. The neighbourhood will be all-electric with some renewable energy generation on site and future proofed EV charging.
The family-run PJ Livesey Group is based in the North Westand has spent over 45 years transforming some of the UK’s finest historic properties into new homes and redeveloping brownfield regeneration sites, with bespoke designs for every development it takes on. It was recently announced that the company has been selected as one of Homes England’s preferred delivery partners.
