PLANS to regenerate shops and offices and to create 13 new apartments with the construction of a new two-storey building at the back of buildings in Altrincham have been unveiled.

Urban Formes has submitted an application on behalf of Mr J Arji for the site on Kingsway.

It is for a grade II listed three-storey property and the building has a prominent position.

It was constructed around 1870 with businesses located on the ground floor.

Meanwhile, the remaining parts of the building were used as offices and have been vacant for a long time.

It is situated in the Old Market Place conservation area in Altrincham.

In a report to planners, it is stated: “The Victorian style grand architecture has been considered with significant merit in list description.

“The stone work is in a good condition and some minor pointing and repair would be made secure for the future of the building.”

The planners added: “The project is driven by a desire for regeneration of the site, to produce a well-designed and high quality development close to good transport links and amenities.

“The site is ideally located for local residents, for professionals who are working in Altrincham, Hale, Broadheath, Sale and Timperley.

“The proposal would provide high quality accommodation for local resident in close proximity of their place of work, leisure or shops.It will produce much-needed luxury family houses in the area and utilise a brownfield site.”

It is said that the scheme will remove the 1970 extension and replacing it with a sympathetic building as the existing building has been ‘neglected by an unsympathetic building’.

Also as part of the scheme there will be landscaping and as part of the new building, there will be eight one-bedroom, and five two bedroom apartments.

The planners say that it is a ‘commercially viable development’ that will become an ‘element in the regeneration of this part of Altrincham providing employment opportunities.’