Chorley Magistrates Court facing demolition for apartment block plan

Plans to demolish Chorley Magistrates Court and build an apartment block in its place are expected to be approved this week.

Preston-based Walker & Williams Ltd is behind the proposed development which will be 11 storeys high and include three commercial units on the ground floor. 

It is not yet clear what these will be occupied by but application says the planning permission would allow for “allow for a diverse range of services and will also allow flexibility to respond to the needs of the area and the market at the time in which the development comes forward.

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The firm behind the plans already owns No.10 Preston and Winkley Stays as well as The Hotel Chester and the much delayed Ormskirk Court Hotel project which involves the redevelopment of the West Lancashire town’s former judiciary building.

Chorley Magistrates Court closed down in 2019 amid cuts from the Ministry of Justice and the prominent building has sat empty ever since. Chorley Borough Council’s planning department will discuss the application at a public meeting next week.

If the development goes ahead, it will include 52 apartments and reach 42m (137ft) in height. It is described as having a “modern design incorporating inset balconies, penthouse balcony areas and a communal roof garden”.

Although four objections have been registered citing reasons such as the lack of parking provision and the size of the building, an officer’s report prepared for the meeting has recommended the application should be approved.

It says: “It is considered that the proposed development accords with the aims of policies within the Framework, Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026 that seek to achieve sustainable development and support the vitality of the town centre and that the benefits of the proposal outweigh the low level harm that is a minor matter from a heritage perspective. 

“There would be no unacceptable detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers or the appearance and character of the area as a result of the proposed development. 

“In addition, the development is located in a sustainable location and would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety. On the basis of the above, it is recommended that planning permission be granted.”

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