INTERESTING press release this for Didsbury readers.
Let's hope the Livesey development will be open and permeable to the city; part of not separate from.
'THE PJ Livesey Group has been named preferred developer for Manchester Metropolitan University’s Didsbury Campus.
'The Manchester based company was selected after a five way bid for the 17 acre site which includes a number of listed buildings.
'PJ Livesey propose to convert the existing buildings, including the Grade II* listed Admin Building into apartments and construct a number of upmarket family homes in the grounds in line with Manchester City Council’s development framework for the site.
'The site is surplus to MMU’s requirements following the development of the new Birley Fields Campus.
'James Woodmansee, PJ Livesey Group Development Director said: “The Group’s experience, track record and commitment to quality ensure we will be able to deliver the aspirations of MMU, Manchester City Council and local residents for the site.
“This is an opportunity to create a development that will form a natural part and extension of Didsbury Village providing new homes of a scale that can really make a difference to the provision and profile of housing within the city.
“It is an opportunity not to be squandered. We have a responsibility to deliver on these aspirations without compromise. A diluted version simply will not produce the legacy and standard which should be demanded by all those involved.
“The historic assets of the site are not constraints they are opportunities for which will find a sensitive solution and we will be working with Calderpeel Architects and Ryder Landscape Consultants to create the very highest quality bespoke new build homes with a variety of styles, designs and sizes to nestle within the mature landscape.”
'The sale is subject to planning approval being granted.'
Fair enough. But Confidential hopes Livesey delivers.
A little closer into 'the village' proper is a development arranged along a little cul-de-sac named in a cringy manner Heritage Gardens. The houses look decent enough in a faux-olde stylee but there's a big wall round the whole thing making it resemble 'a gated community'.
Such hints of exclusivity in Manchester are not pleasant to see. Let's hope the Livesey development will be open and permeable to the city; part of, not separate from.
Certainly it will be interesting to see how they dream dreams of the listed buildings on the site and how they allow these to breathe whilst integrating them into the whole.
The former mansion from the 18th century of the Broome family which became a Wesleyan Training College in 1842, presents one of the best main road facades in Manchester - see picture above.
For the record PJ Livesey's work includes Withington Hospital - now Didsbury Place; Kingsley Park, Frodsham; Bostock Hall, Cheshire; St Annes Hospital, Bowdon; Allerton Priory, Liverpool; Stone House Hospital, Dartford; Ingress Abbey, Kent. Current projects include Lancaster Moor Hospital , Mostyn House School and former hospitals in Beverley and Otley.
