Halton Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the regeneration of one of the city-region’s largest dedicated industrial areas.
A report before the Council’s Executive Board on Thursday (14 June), recommended the preparation of a masterplan and delivery strategy to guide the regeneration of Astmoor Industrial Estate, Runcorn.
Built as part of the development of Runcorn New Town, analysis by the Council identifies that Astmoor is underperforming compared to other local employment areas such as Manor Park. This is because Astmoor struggles to meet modern business needs due to a concentration of older and smaller commercial premises and its dated 1960’s design and layout. The report also recognises that the estate is home to a number of thriving businesses, that are predominantly based in the larger, more modern premises.
The report recognises that the prominence and accessibility of Astmoor to the strategic road network has been improved significantly by the Mersey Gateway, making it a more attractive business location.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for the Physical Environment, Cllr Ron Hignett, said:
“The Mersey Gateway Project has the potential to act as a catalyst for the transformation of Astmoor into a modern business park and employment area which makes the most of its setting close to the River Mersey.
“The proposed regeneration programme will be focussed on helping Astmoor to prosper – by supporting existing businesses to grow and attracting new investment. Astmoor can be a driver for local economic prosperity with potential to support the creation of 2,000 new jobs and safeguarding many more.”
Looking ahead, Cllr Hignett added: “The next step in developing the masterplan is engaging the local business community, potential investors, neighbouring residential areas and other stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the regeneration of Astmoor. This will be done through two stages of consultation.”
The report recognises that Astmoor already benefits from an active and engaged business community being a Business Improvement District (BID) since 2008. The BID is managed by Halton Chamber of Commerce and presents strong foundations for stakeholder engagement and delivering business led regeneration.
Rachael Owen, Chief Executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, says: “The Chamber is delighted that the Council has chosen this estate as a focus for the proposed regeneration plans. Businesses across Astmoor have already demonstrated a commitment to elevating their estate, to working together to achieve a shared vision and investing jointly to improve their working environment, by recently voting in favour of the Business Improvement District (BID).
“The BID now looks forward to working with the Council and assisting in the delivery of an inclusive and cohesive vision; providing a strong voice for businesses and making certain that the regeneration plans incorporates both the current, as well as the future needs, of our businesses and their employees.
“This is a really exciting time for Astmoor Industrial Estate; the proposed investment is significant and very much needed and the potential outcomes of real benefit to everyone living and working in the borough.”
The report concludes that once the Masterplan has been finalised a further report will be brought to the Council’s Executive Board. This is expected to be in early 2019.
Further information, including a video, can be found at http://runcorn-widnes.com/merseygateway/