Historic Prestwich office block to become flats as working-from-home trend hits usage

A former ‘bustling’ office block could be converted into apartments as more people work from home due to the pandemic.

International House, in the heart of the Church Lane conservation area in Prestwich, is the subject of a planning application lodged this week to convert it into eight apartments.

The offices there were used by travel businesses Cruise Club UK and Simple Travel Finance Ltd.

The Church Lane conservation area centres on its focal point, St Mary’s church and the 17th century Church Inn next door.

The building was built as Prestwich Conservative Club in 1874, designed by the Manchester architect William Dawes.

In 1957 the Conservative Club relocated to its present location along the lane.

The building was then used as a school for several years until its current use as offices.

Applicant Paul Edge has lodged the plans which were published by Bury council this week.

The Church Lane conservation area centres on its focal point, St Mary’s church and the Church Inn next door.

A design and access statement in support of the plans, said: “Previously used as bustling offices for a travel consultant, government enforced ‘lock-downs’ have required staff to utilise modern communication techniques to enable work to continue from home.

“Consequently new methods of remote interaction have resulted in the offices continuing to be under used and surplus to requirements.

“A change of use from offices to eight apartments is proposed.

“A mix of original large offices, with smaller ancillary areas can easily be divided to form the spaces required for domestic purposes.

“As the existing ceiling heights would be unsuitably high for rooms of a domestic nature, mezzanine floors will be introduced to reduce the scale.

“Care has been taken to ensure the facing houses will not be overlooked by habitable rooms.

“Externally, with minimal building works proposed, the scale of the building is unaltered.”

The St Mary’s Conservation Area appraisal and management plan commissioned by Bury Council noted International House as an ‘imposing three storey brick structure’ with a ‘slight Gothic and ecclesiastical feel with good stone detail’.

Planners at Bury Council will consider the plans in the next few weeks following consultation with neighbours.