Project Name:
52 College Road, Whalley Range, Manchester

Type of Project: Conservation Area Appraisal, Historical Appraisal, PPG15 Justification Statement, Visual Impact Assessment

Date: October 2007

Client: Range Warehouses

Architect:
Stephenson Bell Architects

Special Interest: During the Industrial Revolution, Manchester rapidly expanded beyond the confines of what is now known as the city centre. Whalley Range was one of the earliest suburbs in Manchester, created by Samuel Brooks and termed "a desirable estate for gentlemen and their families". Roads were laid out and building plots were sold with certain conditions to ensure that development was appropriate to Samuel Brooks’ vision. Sunnyside Villa is one in five of the earliest remaining villas erected in Whalley Range. During The Great War Sunnyside Villa was used a Military Hospital. Much of the area, which is predominantly residential, is contained within the 63 acres of flat land purchased by the prominent banker, Samuel Brooks, in 1832. The original layout of Whalley Range survives today and was designated a conservation area in 1991.

Scope of Professional Services:
Heritage Architecture Ltd were commissioned to undertake the following:

• LIMITED CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL: Heritage Architecture Ltd were commissioned to undertake an assessment of the earlier built form of 52 College Road, which included undertaking a limited appraisal of the character of the Whalley Range Conservation Area and a ground level appraisal of the contextual relationship of buildings and vistas within the immediate environs.

• HISTORICAL APPRAISAL OF THE BUILDING: Heritage Architecture Ltd undertook an appraisal of the unlisted building located at 52 College Road in accordance with the Communities and Local Government Circular 01/2007, Revisions to Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings.

• PPG 15 JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT: Heritage Architecture Ltd formulated the PPG 15 justification statement to accompany an application for Conservation Area Consent.

• VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: An appraisal of the relative visual impact likely to result from the proposed development included an assessment as to whether the new work would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Whalley Range Conservation Area.