Convent set to be replaced by two luxury homes

Plans to bulldoze the former Loreto Convent in Altrincham to build two luxury homes have been submitted by a developer. The convent on Harley Road, close to the town centre, has been unoccupied since the only three sisters living in the 11-bedroom property vacated it earlier this year.

A planning application has been lodged on Trafford council’s planning portal on behalf of P H Property Holdings, which specialises in high-quality housing. The convent was established in 1909 by the Loreto Sisters, a religious order founded by Mary Ward in the 17th century.

However, the number of sisters living in the convent reduced considerably over time and earlier this year only three sisters were residents there. The Sisters opted to sell the building and the wider site once none of them were left, with the office space the only part of it that was being used.

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A planning statement from Asteer Planning, on behalf of P H Property Holdings, says the developer wants to build two high-quality houses with association infrastructure and ‘attractive landscaping’. The site is 500 metres from Altrincham town centre and is not in a conservation area

“The proposals will being a vacant building back into beneficial use, making efficient use of land in an accessible urgan location,” it says. The company boasts some existing luxury developments, including at Alderley Park, close to Alderley Edge; Scholar’s Green within walking distance of the centre of hulme>Cheadle Hulme and homes in the Somerford Booths Hall Estate in Cheshire.