These eye-catching images reveal how a derelict former car wash could be transformed into elegant new shops, a food retail unit and a hot food takeaway.
The development would take place at the former TC Hand Car Wash on Southport New Road (A565) in Mere Brow, on the Tarleton Bypass between Southport and Tarleton.
Developer Bella Homes NW Ltd claims the scheme will “greatly raise the aesthetic profile of the site within the area and contribute positively to its setting.”
The new plans are an upgrade on initial proposals which were submitted in June 2020, with the new vision much more sympathetic to the surrounding open countryside.
A planning application has now been submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council, which includes these stunning visuals created by FWP Architecture.
The scheme calls for the demolition of the existing derelict former hand car wash and cafe buildings.
They would then be replaced by four retail units, which would include a mix of; two non-food retail units; one food retail unit; and one hot food take away unit.
There would be a total of 34 car parking spaces, 10 cycle spaces, four motorbike spaces, three disability spaces and one electric vehicle charging space.
The application says: “The development will be an asset to the area and improve a site that is at present very harmful to the visual amenity of this important location in the area.
“The proposed retail units are of relatively small scale, single storey construction, and set within an area of new landscaping.
“Located towards the rear of the site, the proposed retail units have their primary frontages facing south towards Southport New Road.
“The units will have glass frontages to ensure the openness of the site is maintained. The location of the units within ‘two clusters’ allows for the creation of landscaped areas and a central plaza that will promote the usage of external areas whilst maximising the views through the site and indeed the units themselves, towards the surrounding open countryside.
“New soft landscaping is proposed throughout the site, with tree planting proposed to the front and to either side of the new buildings, supplementing the site perimeter planting.
“The proposed arrangement of soft landscaping and planting will retain the feel of openness around the site. Areas of green space and hedging are also proposed. Together these landscaping elements will soften the development impact on the wider landscape and reduce the amount of hardstanding across the site.
“The layout responds to the brief and site constraints positioning retail units in a commercially visible location whilst maximising views through the site towards the surrounding open countryside and providing suitable vehicular access and car parking facilities.
“The appearance of the proposed retail units will utilise a palette of rustic / natural materials including wood, weathered brick and slate roof tiles.
“Thes images clearly demonstrate that the proposal is sympathetic to the rural character of the surrounding landscape and acknowledges the special qualities of the area by virtue of its size, design, use of materials, the landscaping and siting.
“Overall the proposed design aims to greatly raise the aesthetic profile of the site within the area and contribute positively to its setting.”
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