Today, Mancunian property developer Views announced it will be a holding a public consultation from 11am until 4pm on Saturday 21 May for its emerging proposals for the future of 136 Withington Road, Whalley Range, formerly known as the Nello James Centre.
Views purchased the property from the Walton Cottage Education Trust in 2020 and is working with architects Ollier Smurthwaite to develop proposals for the refurbishment and extension of the property into 35 new apartments.
The three options for the site, which will be presented at the consultation, all retain the existing original building which dates to the late 19th century. Originally called Walton Cottage, after being a private family home from 1887, the British Red Cross used the building as an auxiliary hospital between 1914-16.
It is understood the British Red Cross owned the building up to 1971 when the Walton Cottage Education Trust purchased it, with funds provided by Vanessa Redgrave. It then became known as the Nello James Centre after C.L.R. James, a West Indian born cultural historian, cricket writer and political activist and a leading figure in the Pan-African movement. The centre closed approximately 10 years ago and fell into disrepair. In 2015 the local community tried to purchase the centre but were not successful.
Patrick Sheridan
Patrick Sheridan, Senior Development ManagerThe event on Saturday 21 May is an opportunity for us to present our emerging plans to the local community and to receive their feedback. We are mindful that when 136 Withington Road was the Nello James Centre it provided a fantastic service for the community and it remains a source of inspiration and many memories for the people who used it.
“While our proposals for the site are for new, much needed new homes, we are investigating ways in which we can create a lasting tribute to the Centre and we are very much open to ideas.
“When they sold the building, we understand the Walton Cottage Education Trust agreed to reinvest any profits from the sale back into local community projects. We have spoken to and written to the Walton Cottage Education Trust but up to now they have not been able to provide definitive information on their future plans.”
As well as engaging with statutory stakeholders during the design process, Views and its team which includes planning consultancy Avison Young will distribute information leaflets to circa 1,000 residential and commercial neighbours to the scheme to inform them of the consultation.