THE new owner of Northwich’s ‘last significant piece’ of industrial waterways heritage has outlined plans for its redevelopment.
Property developer, Laurance Daw, who bought Navigation Yard from the Canal and River Trust for an undisclosed sum earlier this year, hosted a public consultation event at the site on Friday, September 27.
River Weaver Navigation Society (RWNS) chairman, Jim Mole, attended the event, where he expressed concerns about its short notice, suggesting some residents would not be able to attend.
RWNS - an independent group dedicated to the preservation of the the River Weaver - has called Navigation Yard 'the last remaining piece of Northwich's rich industrial waterways heritage'.
The new owner, Mr Daw, was supported by housing charity, Community Accommodation Group (CAG), which is involved with the development, along with staff from WhiteBox architects, engaged to draw up the plans.
Sketch proposals were on display, which show several new mixed-use commercial units, orientated to give existing Navigation Road homes a view of the River Weaver.
The existing grade-II listed buildings on the site, which include the Area Office, Navigation House, and Clock Tower, are earmarked on the plans as potential residences.
The rare Scotch Derrick crane will be restored and kept in situ, a CAG representative confirmed, to help preserve the site’s former shipyard heritage.
CAG, which describes itself as a ‘housing first’ charity specialising in accommodating vulnerable people, is to take the lead on the residential aspect of the development.
CAG was not able to say how may residences it intends to develop on the site.
Speaking at the consultation event, Phil Woolas, a former MP and the charity’s chairman, said: “Navigation Yard is a beautiful heritage site, and we see it as a potential catalyst to help regenerate this part of the town.
"We hope being right on the river will be a big draw for people, and we are looking for ways to best turn this to the site’s advantage.
"We have already consulted various councillors, and we are grateful to the River Weaver Navigation Society for being so generous with their extensive knowledge of site's history.
“However, it has been derelict since 2017, and while we are very keen to get people’s views, we are equally keen to get on with the job at hand.”
Concerns were also raised over whether Laurence Daw is the right developer for an important heritage site.
He landed himself in court in 2018 accused by Cheshire East Council of ‘reckless vandalism’ of a grade II-listed Queen Anne mansion, Aston Park House, which he renovated as a family home.
He was landed with a £70,000 court bill, and was forced to complete 250 hours unpaid work, after pleading guilty to 18 planning offences relating to work on the house.
Asked about his current attitude to planning regulations, Mr Daw said: “Since 2018, I have since successfully redeveloped more than five listed buildings in Greater Manchester and Cheshire and my love and passion for such important building hasn't wavered.
“All I can say is that the faster you make mistakes, the faster you learn, and thankfully I learnt very quickly.”
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