Land for sale

Lowesmoor, Worcester WR1

A prime residential and retail development opportunity in the heart of Worcester City centre

Description

- Approved planning permission to convert the existing car park into eight brand new residential apartments and to create additional parking and another Class E retail unit.

- The current mix of three retail units and four apartments generates a total annual rental income of £57,845.

- Four on-site parking spaces enhance the appeal of the existing income-producing elements, making the property practical and convenient for both buyers and tenants alike.

- A separate Class E unit provides further development potential, including the possibility of future residential conversion (subject to planning approval).

- Sustainable design with green roof and solar panels promoting eco-friendly living.

- Situated in the vibrant Lowesmoor area, close to Worcester's city centre.

The development
A rare opportunity to acquire a mixed-use investment and approved development site in the heart of Worcester’s historic Lowesmoor Conservation Area. This unique parcel of land offers immediate rental income from the existing retail units and apartments, alongside full planning consent (Ref: 23/00636/ful) for a high-quality new scheme designed with strong architectural, heritage and environmental credentials.

The approved development has been carefully crafted in response to the local architectural character and the surrounding listed buildings, including The Old Vinegar Works and the public house at 54 Lowesmoor. Throughout the design process, particular attention has been paid to Policies SWDP6 and SWDP24, ensuring the scheme enhances the Conservation Area and avoids any substantial harm to heritage assets.

The resulting architecture reflects the industrial Victorian character of Lowesmoor, with multi-gabled standing-seam roofs, brick detailing, vertical window bays and contemporary slimline aluminium-framed windows. Soldier brick courses, recessed downpipes and carefully proportioned apertures draw inspiration from nearby warehouse structures and St Martins Quarter, giving the buildings a distinctive blend of historic robustness and modern refinement.

The consented scheme includes:

Two principal accommodation blocks, stepping in height to respect the surrounding context.

Block 1: A street-facing block containing the new 37 sqm Class E retail unit at ground level, with two further storeys of apartments above beneath pitched roofs.

Block 2: Positioned behind Block 1, rising to four storeys but largely screened from key heritage views.

Block 3, a single-storey element adjoining the Elim Pentecostal Church Centre, ensuring no risk of overlooking or loss of light.

A recessed pedestrian entrance from the pedestrianised zone leading into a central circulation courtyard serving all accommodation.

A well-designed private car park, bike store and bin store, accessible both internally and externally.

High-quality, sustainable design
The development incorporates a range of eco-conscious features, including:

A green roof promoting biodiversity and stormwater management
Solar panels for enhanced energy efficiency
Improved massing and roof forms to support light, outlook and long-term sustainability
These measures align the scheme with modern environmental expectations while supporting the area’s historic character.

Income-producing mixed-use element
The site already generates strong revenue from three retail units and four apartments, producing an annual income of £57,845. This income is further supported by four on-site parking spaces serving the existing uses, making the property practical and attractive to both residents and commercial tenants. The retained Class E unit also has potential for future residential conversion (subject to planning).

Why invest?
This property presents an opportunity to acquire an asset that delivers immediate rental income from the existing residential apartments and retail units, while being sold predominantly for its substantial development potential.

Demand from residents and businesses in this rapidly growing area of Worcester remains strong. The inclusion of sustainable features, such as solar panels and a green roof, offers long-term value and environmental benefits.

With a projected rental income of £57,485 per annum generated by the existing elements, combined with the approved redevelopment of the car park into new apartments, parking and another retail unit, the investment is well balanced with strong future potential.

Location

Nestled within the dynamic Lowesmoor area, this site is perfectly positioned for residents and businesses seeking a vibrant city lifestyle. Worcester city centre is just a short walk away, offering an array of shopping, dining and leisure opportunities.

The nearby Shrub Hill and Foregate Street train stations provide excellent connectivity, with direct links to Birmingham, Cheltenham and London. Road networks, including the M5, offer convenient access to the Midlands and beyond.

Worcester is a city steeped in history, known for its iconic cathedral and picturesque River Severn. Yet, it’s equally modern, with thriving local businesses, cultural attractions and green spaces like Gheluvelt Park and the Malvern Hills.

Services

There is access to mains gas, electricity, water and drainage.

Fees

Reservation Fee - refundable on exchange

A reservation fee, refundable on exchange, is payable prior to the issue of the Memorandum of Sale and after which the property may be marked as Sold Subject to Contract. The fee will be reimbursed upon the successful Exchange of Contracts.

The fee will be retained by Andrew Grant in the event that you the Buyer withdraws from the purchase or does not Exchange within 6 months of the fee being received other than for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Any significant material issues which individually are more than 1% of the agreed purchase price and are highlighted in a survey and were not evident or drawn to the attention of you, the Buyer, prior to the Memorandum of Sale being issued.
2. Serious and material defect in the seller’s legal title.
3. Local search revealing a matter that has a material adverse effect on the market value of the property that was previously undeclared and not in the public domain.
4. The vendor withdrawing the property from sale.

The reservation fee will be 0.5% of the accepted offer price for offers below £800,000 and 1% for offers of £800,000 or over. This fee, unless specified otherwise, is payable upon acceptance by the vendor of an offer from a buyer and completion of an assessment of the buyer’s financial status and ability to proceed.

Should a buyer’s financial position regarding the funding of the property prove to be fundamentally different from that declared by the buyer when the Memorandum of Sale was completed, then the Vendor has the right to withdraw from the sale and/or the reservation fee retained. For example, where the buyer declares themselves as a cash buyer but are in fact relying on an unsecured sale of their property. The reservation fee will not be refunded where there is an inability on the part of the Buyer to raise any required mortgage after the Memorandum of Sale is completed.

Once the reservation fee has been paid, any renegotiation of the price stated in the memorandum of sale for any reason other than those covered in points 1 to 3 above will lead to the reservation fee being retained. A further fee will be levied on any subsequent reduced offer that is accepted by the vendor. This further fee will be subject to the same conditions that prevail for all reservation fees outlined above.