FWP delivers vision of modern town centre living

By Rob Kelly

22 Oct 2024

Chorley Magistrates Court

Further details of leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP’s landmark town centre living scheme in Chorley have been unveiled.

The standout development, designed by FWP’s architects on the site of the Lancashire market town’s former magistrates court, will deliver 52 high-quality apartments and play a key role in Chorley’s ongoing regeneration journey.

Each property in the 11-storey building, including its duplex penthouses, will have access to a private balcony as well as a stunning communal open roof garden which will be accessible to all occupants.

The development will deliver 28 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Chorley. It will also include three ground-floor commercial units to add to the market town’s vibrant mix of shops, bars and restaurants.

It will also feature planting at all levels in order to give it a distinctive appearance and boost the biodiversity of the area.

Preston headquartered FWP’s design takes its inspiration” from neighbouring buildings – the ‘brutalist style’ police station and the ‘Italianate’ town hall. It incorporates the concrete frame of the station and the buff colouring of municipal building.

Planners have given the go-ahead for the development, following an application from Preston based PWA Planning. Its construction will follow the demolition of the old courts building in St Thomas’s Square, which has stood vacant since 2018.

FWP says the new development will help meet the growing need for new housing in Chorley and help bring more people into the heart of the town.

Brent Clayton, partner at FWP, which has offices in Preston, Manchester and London, said: “Our brief was to deliver high quality housing and commercial facilities that will complement the existing surrounding urban context.

“The planned development will play a key role in Chorley’s ongoing town centre regeneration, breathing new life into a prominent site that has been vacant for some time and encouraging more people into the area.

“We have looked to create a landmark building that will deliver modern homes designed for town living, while also complementing Chorley’s unique and vibrant town centre and nearby buildings, including the very distinctive and instantly recognisable town hall.

“The result is an attractive and welcoming building which strives to promote healthy living for its residents through its external spaces. Now planning permission has been granted we look forward to working to progress the project.”

FWP delivered its innovative designs for the Chorley site for family-run developer Walker & Williams. It is the latest in a series of high-profile projects it has spearheaded for the company.

 

Established in 1984, Walker & Williams has developed a number of residential, commercial, hospitality and care schemes across the North West.

Max Walker-Williams, operations director at Walker & Williams, said: “We’re proud to be bringing forward this high-quality scheme of apartments that will provide new town centre living opportunities for Chorley.

“Our thanks to the whole project team for their determination and dedication in helping us get this planning approval over the line.

 “We’re now looking forward to progressing to the next stage and securing a development partner to and getting the scheme moving.”

FWP’s work for Walker & Williams, which is also headquartered in Preston, includes designing the multi-million-pound conversion of a historic magistrates’ court in Ormskirk to create a five-star aparthotel.

That development will see the transformation of the building into the stylish Ormskirk Court Hotel, with 23 premium apartments, extensive landscaping, and new car park facilities.

Other Walker & Williams projects designed and delivered by FWP include The Hotel Chester – a £5.6m award-winning five-star boutique aparthotel scheme in the city that saw the transformation of a building dating back to around 1782.

FWP also led on The Winckley Square Hotel in Preston for the company, a standout £2.8m development in the city centre.

Brent Clayton said: “We’ve built up a good relationship with the client over a number of years and we understand their vision and ethos and commitment to quality.”

Further details of leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP’s landmark town centre living scheme in Chorley have been unveiled.

The standout development, designed by FWP’s architects on the site of the Lancashire market town’s former magistrates court, will deliver 52 high-quality apartments and play a key role in Chorley’s ongoing regeneration journey.

Each property in the 11-storey building, including its duplex penthouses, will have access to a private balcony as well as a stunning communal open roof garden which will be accessible to all occupants.

The development will deliver 28 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Chorley. It will also include three ground-floor commercial units to add to the market town’s vibrant mix of shops, bars and restaurants.

It will also feature planting at all levels in order to give it a distinctive appearance and boost the biodiversity of the area.

Preston headquartered FWP’s design takes its inspiration” from neighbouring buildings – the ‘brutalist style’ police station and the ‘Italianate’ town hall. It incorporates the concrete frame of the station and the buff colouring of municipal building.

Planners have given the go-ahead for the development, following an application from Preston based PWA Planning. Its construction will follow the demolition of the old courts building in St Thomas’s Square, which has stood vacant since 2018.

FWP says the new development will help meet the growing need for new housing in Chorley and help bring more people into the heart of the town.

Brent Clayton, partner at FWP, which has offices in Preston, Manchester and London, said: “Our brief was to deliver high quality housing and commercial facilities that will complement the existing surrounding urban context.

“The planned development will play a key role in Chorley’s ongoing town centre regeneration, breathing new life into a prominent site that has been vacant for some time and encouraging more people into the area.

“We have looked to create a landmark building that will deliver modern homes designed for town living, while also complementing Chorley’s unique and vibrant town centre and nearby buildings, including the very distinctive and instantly recognisable town hall.

“The result is an attractive and welcoming building which strives to promote healthy living for its residents through its external spaces. Now planning permission has been granted we look forward to working to progress the project.”

FWP delivered its innovative designs for the Chorley site for family-run developer Walker & Williams. It is the latest in a series of high-profile projects it has spearheaded for the company.

Established in 1984, Walker & Williams has developed a number of residential, commercial, hospitality and care schemes across the North West.

Max Walker-Williams, operations director at Walker & Williams, said: “We’re proud to be bringing forward this high-quality scheme of apartments that will provide new town centre living opportunities for Chorley.

“Our thanks to the whole project team for their determination and dedication in helping us get this planning approval over the line.

 “We’re now looking forward to progressing to the next stage and securing a development partner to and getting the scheme moving.”

FWP’s work for Walker & Williams, which is also headquartered in Preston, includes designing the multi-million-pound conversion of a historic magistrates’ court in Ormskirk to create a five-star aparthotel.

That development will see the transformation of the building into the stylish Ormskirk Court Hotel, with 23 premium apartments, extensive landscaping, and new car park facilities.

Other Walker & Williams projects designed and delivered by FWP include The Hotel Chester – a £5.6m award-winning five-star boutique aparthotel scheme in the city that saw the transformation of a building dating back to around 1782.

FWP also led on The Winckley Square Hotel in Preston for the company, a standout £2.8m development in the city centre.

Brent Clayton said: “We’ve built up a good relationship with the client over a number of years and we understand their vision and ethos and commitment to quality.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Burnley shortlisted for £20,000 Let's Celebrate Towns grant Burnley Bid Street Cleaning

Burnley shortlisted for £20,000 Let's Celebrate Towns grant

13 Nov 2026

2

Universities and civic authorities unite to improve opportunities in county Eaf91ac1fe464d1580d6b0eae8307284

Universities and civic authorities unite to improve opportunities in county

13 Nov 2026

3

Lancashire business leaders among 27 for '27 Northern Stars Fourimagetemplatecomplete

Lancashire business leaders among 27 for '27 Northern Stars

12 Nov 2026

4

Profits flow at United Utilities United Utilities Watto Photos / Shutterstock.com

Profits flow at United Utilities

12 Nov 2026

5

BAE Systems order book hits £33bn bae-systems-samlesbury.jpg

BAE Systems order book hits £33bn

12 Nov 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
LBV131 Magazine Launch Social720No Text 19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

The Landmark, School Lane, Burnley, BB11 1UF

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Business Day 2026
LBD26 WW Logo720 27 Nov 2026

Lancashire Business Day 2026

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Sub36 Reunion & Networking
03 Dec 2026

Sub36 Reunion & Networking

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2027
NZC27 Social 1200x800Generic 1 11 Feb 2027

Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2027

The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth, Wheatsheaf Hill Farm, Plantation Road, BL7 0BY

09:30 - 02:00

Help to Grow: Management Course
Help To Grow 25 Sep 2026 - 15 Dec 2026

Help to Grow: Management Course

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 12:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 18 Nov 2026

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

09:00 - 13:00

Great Winter Pie & Pea Social
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 19 Nov 2026

Great Winter Pie & Pea Social

The Royal Hotel & Bar, Lancaster, LA1 1YD

17:30 - 20:00

Neurodiversity Awareness and Support Training
20 Nov 2026

Neurodiversity Awareness and Support Training

Neuro Spark Training Solutions, Burnley , BB11 2AS

09:00 - 16:00

Neurodiversity at Work - A Free Event
Event graphic 1200x800@1x.png.png 20 Nov 2026

Neurodiversity at Work - A Free Event

Lancashire FA, Leyland , PR252LF

09:30 - 12:30

Degree Apprenticeship Careers Fair
LBV Website Events GraphicCareers Fair 21 Nov 2026

Degree Apprenticeship Careers Fair

University of Lancashire, Foster Building, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Freelancer Meet-Up: November
 Freelancer Meet-Up Square NOV.png.png 24 Nov 2026

Freelancer Meet-Up: November

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

Seriun Cyber Round Table
Seriun-Roundable-3.png.png 25 Nov 2026

Seriun Cyber Round Table

Albert’s Standish, School Ln, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0TD

11:00 - 14:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV130 Online GraphicWebsite
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin