From Save Chorlton Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/savechorltoncentre
The majority of Chorlton residents I speak to are not against a housing development but want to see the shopping precinct replaced with amenities, useful shops, and green public square spaces. A lot of people object to the scale of the proposed development, height and massing and the impact on the local character.
There is a feeling the owners and developers have ripped the heart out of Chorlton, leaving the precinct empty and borded up before submitting proposals and there’s an impatience to get things moving again. BUT at what cost to the wellbeing of all residents?
Jackie Lindsay 2 Sep 2025
Paul McGarry
Is it the specific proposals, or the plan for more housing that this group is opposing?
Michelle Haller
Hi Paul McGarry,
I understand that cities can work well with high rises but Chorlton isn’t a city; we are a suburb, and why should it be a problem to want to stay that way? However, we are not opposed to additional housing. There are new estates around Chorlton on various plots and pockets of land that have been welcomed without opposition. This particular development is on land that was publicly accessible, serving the entire community with shops that attracted both locals and visitors. We were led to expect a redevelopment that included low-rise housing, possibly flats above shops or some reconfiguration with housing, a modernized shopping area, and an improved public realm and retail offering to enhance Chorlton’s charm as a popular and eclectic suburb.
We oppose a significant reduction in proper retail options that could attract a variety of stores, including an anchor store. We are against the lack of public parking, which affects those who cannot afford the time or money to rely on bikes or public transport for shopping. We oppose the reduction in meaningful public spaces, which previously provided a safe, open area for families and social interactions with friends and neighbors. We are concerned about the scale and density of this development, potentially housing 900 people in blocks of flats ranging from 4 to 10 stories high, crammed into a small space. We oppose high-rises over 4 stories tall and buildings as tall as 5 stories in the center of Chorlton (for reference, the development on the old Chorlton baths site is only 5 stories tall). We also take issue with the lack of transparency during the consultation process, as no clear facts or figures were shared—only PJ Livesley’s interpretation and response.
That said, we are not against adding housing in Chorlton. The more people exposed to living in a peace-loving, open-minded, inclusive, caring, well-socialised, eclectic, non-judgmental, accepting, gentle, and kind community, the better.
20th Oct 2025