Revised plans in for Chester’s 18th-century Shot Tower and leadworks

Whitecroft Group has resubmitted plans to turn an 18th-century shot tower and former leadworks into new homes.

The Cheshire-based developer secured planning consent last year for 65 apartments at the historic site but will now create 69 along with three four-bed townhouses.

Several revisions, Whitecroft said, have been made to the aesthetics of the building to better align The Shot Tower with its soundings.

Complementing the tower will be new wings constructed with red bricks, featuring a reinforced grey rain screen to the east side and a copper metal facia on the west.

Inside, apartments are now set to be larger and all units above the ground floor will have a balcony.

Whitecroft Group believes the design will more closely reflect the the site’s industrial history and blend with the nearby bridge connecting to Waitrose.

David Giovanni, managing director of Whitecroft Group, commented: “We listened to feedback from local residents and feel the new plans are much more sympathetic and in keeping with Chester’s landscape.

“We’ve also reduced the amount of intervention with the Grade II-listed buildings; we’ll continue to fully restore and future-proof these structures, but the revised plans will now allow us to keep the main tower and retained units as true to their natural form as possible.”

With demolition and enabling works undertaken on site, construction is due to begin in Q1 2018.