Creating dream home is towering challenge (From Knutsford Guardian)

Creating dream home is towering challenge

11:30am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By James Wilson

A LANDMARK on the outskirts of Knutsford could soon be transformed into somebody’s dream home.

United Utilities has submitted plans for a ‘Grand Design’ to convert High Legh water tower on Warrington Road into a single dwelling house with conservatory and detached garage.

The octagonal structure was built in 1938 to help improve local water pressure.

It was designed in an art deco style for the former Bucklow Rural District Council on land transferred by Lord Grey of the Cornwall-Legh family.

The building then passed to North West Water Authority in 1974 and later to United Utilities.

The water tower became redundant recently when United Utilities built a new water pumping station at Bucklow Hill, and the company is now planning to sell the building.

The plans echo a recent episode of Grand Designs on Channel 4, which saw a developer convert a water tower in Lambeth into a six-bedroom home.

Trevor Hosking, property development manager at United Utilities, said: “It’s a distinctive building but has reached the end of its operational life.

“The High Legh area has a much more reliable water supply these days thanks to the new pumping station, so it’s time to give the tower a new lease of life.

“If the plans are approved someone will have the chance to acquire a piece of local history and create a unique home in a wonderful setting with rooftop views of the Cheshire countryside.”

Stories suggest that during the Second World War an anti-aircraft gun was stationed on the roof of the tower overlooking and protecting the former army camp which has since been replaced by the housing development known as The Belfry.

Initiatives Design of Weaverham has been commissioned by United Utilities to design a residential conversion to respect the form, scale and design of the tower and its setting, and to ensure there is no detrimental impact on the surrounding Green Belt countryside.

The proposed scheme, on six levels with a lift, would provide four en-suite bedrooms, ground floor kitchen/diner with adjoining conservatory, separate dining room and top floor lounge with mezzanine above, providing access to the roof which enjoys commanding views over the Cheshire plain.

The application can be viewed on Cheshire East Council’s web site, reference number 12/3773M.

United Utilities intends to sell the tower and adjoining cottage via Meller Braggins’ auction in February 2013.