Developer wants to give 'new future and clear purpose' with 176 flats at abandoned Lloyds buildings
The developer behind a major scheme to convert former Lloyds banking offices into "176 "luxury" apartments says it wants to give "new future and clear purpose" to the abandoned buildings.
Having first revealed the scheme last year, Blueoak Estates has now been given prior approval for the development which will see Chester's Tower House and Charterhall House repurposed after being left empty for years.
The company says it is its "largest and most ambitious scheme in Chester to date" and will provide a new chapter for the 1970's structures on Charterhall Drive.
Iain MacLean, managing director of Blueoak Estates said: "We're incredibly proud of the impact we're making on the Chester landscape.
"We are seeing a clear shift in how we live and work that's resulting in many purpose-built commercial buildings no longer being in use, left abandoned and very much unloved.
"This scheme is our largest and most ambitious scheme in Chester to date.
"These are incredibly well-known landmark buildings that will now be given a new future and clear purpose.
"The location is one of the best in Chester, and the apartments will be developed as a range of sizes to suit a broad and diverse audience.
"As ever, the fit out and finish will be of exceptional standard, with lift access and ample private parking."
Constructed in the early 1980s as office accommodation, the most recent occupants were Lloyds banking, who left the site in 2019.
Today, the site stands empty, covered in graffiti with multiple smashed windows.
The proposals to convert the buildings will deliver a mix of one and two-bedroom dwellings.
Communal facilities will include integrated bike storage with chargers, a rooftop garden, cinema room, gym and breakout workspace.
Strong emphasis has been placed on the developer's focus on sustainability within the plans.
This applies to the site's location, design, proposed materials and the technologies employed - all 'centred around a wider sustainable vision'.
Mr MacLean added: "We believe that this development will help nurture and cultivate a wider urban community that is undoubtedly building in Chester.
"We are seeing more city and town centre landscapes reimagined and our buildings must be given a new purpose and direction."
The site contains two vacant office buildings together with associated landscaping and a total of 122 car parking spaces.
The main building, Charterhall House, is a seven storey building, whilst Tower House is four storeys.
The plans propose no changes to the external appearance of the building, which sits just 250 metres away from Chester train station,
The developer has emphasised the framework and integrity of both buildings will be 'retained in full' rather than be demolished and rebuilt, claiming the large-scale project will epitomise the phrase 'carbon capture'.
The site is within the Chester Northern Gateway Regeneration Area, where Cheshire West and Chester council is seeking high quality office and residential development.
During the pre-application discussions between August 2023 and November 2023, officers did not support the construction of new-build apartment blocks to the north of the site, or the rooftop extensions to provide additional floors.
They were, however, generally supportive of the conversion of the existing building to residential use.
The council were also supportive of the replacement of existing windows and creation of new openings to accompany the conversion for residential use.
It is unclear whether or not the developer intends to submit any more applications for further works.
You can find the link to the planning application here.
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