An extensive urban transformation project in Greater Manchester is entering its first physical phase as contractors prepare to clear a prominent suburban retail site.
Following planning approval at the end of 2025, phase one of the regeneration involves dismantling the former Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre and Graeme House buildings.
The initial site preparations will trigger immediate changes to local traffic and pedestrian movements in the surrounding area.
The first step will be to close the precinct car park at the end of May 2026.
At the same time, new hoardings will be installed around the site, and the cut through via Manchester Road to Nicolas Road will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles to ensure safety.
The demolition work will be carried out by SJ Walchester and is expected to begin in mid-June and be completed in August.
Where possible, materials from the existing buildings will be reused during the construction of the new neighbourhood.
This will help reduce the number of vehicles needed to remove materials from the site.
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The project management team has established protocols to limit the impact of the heavy machinery operations on adjacent high street businesses.
Georgina Lynch, managing director at PJ Livesey, said:
“Demolition marks another major milestone for the project, which will completely transform the former shopping centre.
“Keeping local people safe and minimising disruption is our top priority.
“We’ve been working with the existing traders to carefully manage any disruption during the demolition.
“This has included arranging new servicing access for the businesses on Wilbraham Road.
“Our demolition contractor will carefully manage any issues throughout the work, and we will continue to stay in regular contact with local residents and businesses as the demolition progresses.”
Brought forward by Manchester-based PJ Livesey, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, the plans will create a diverse mix of homes and revitalised retail spaces that will create a new beating heart for the community.
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The master plan emphasises sustainable brownfield redevelopment, combining eco-friendly infrastructure with dedicated areas for independent businesses.
The approved plans include 262 one-, two- and three-bed apartments, all with access to outdoor space through balconies and gardens, alongside 53 affordable homes available through a mix of tenures, with 49 of these being available for social rent.
The public realm will feature around 3,500 sq metres of public open space, including a fully walkable route through Manchester Road and outdoor seating areas to encourage people to stop and dwell.
Additionally, the site will accommodate a mix of flexible retail spaces, including a new ‘Makers Yard’ suitable for smaller, start-up businesses, complemented by up to 60 new trees across the site with maximised retention of existing trees.
Working in partnership with Southway Housing Trust, PJ Livesey and the GMPF will deliver 49 homes for social rent in the neighbourhood to address the shortage of affordable housing in Chorlton, especially smaller homes, one and two-bed apartments.
All the homes will be designed and built to reduce energy demand and residents’ bills.
The neighbourhood will be all-electric with some renewable energy generation on site and future-proofed EV charging.
The family-run PJ Livesey Group is based in the North West and has spent over 45 years transforming some of the UK’s finest historic properties into new homes and redeveloping brownfield regeneration sites, with bespoke designs for every development it takes on.
It was recently announced that the company has been selected as one of Homes England’s preferred delivery partners.
