Halton Borough Council has secured £291,000.00 of funding from a national government programme to support the development of new homes on surplus publicly owned brownfield sites.
The grant has been funded by HM Government via the One Public Estate ‘Brownfield Land Release Fund’ (BLRF2) and will be used to undertake the demolition of Belvedere House and Churchill Hall, Cooper Street, in Runcorn town centre. These adjoining buildings are owned by the Council, have been long term vacant and have been assessed to be beyond their useful life.
Speaking about securing the funding and the planned demolition works, Cllr Stef Nelson, Executive Board Member for Environment and Urban Renewal, said:
“This funding will be used to prepare the site for future development of much-needed new homes within the heart of Runcorn town centre. It is the Council’s aspiration that the homes will be affordable housing for families and young people and make the most of the attractive waterfront setting.
“We are working in partnership with Halton Housing who manage properties adjacent to the site to develop proposals and, once finalised, these will be shared with the local community.”
Discussing how the site forms part of the wider plan for the town centre, Cllr Dave Thompson, Deputy Leader and Executive Board Member for Major Projects, explained:
“This project will bring further investment and development into the town centre, on top of the £23.6m already secured from the government’s Town’s Fund to deliver the Runcorn Town Investment Plan. This Plan includes attracting more people to live in the town centre, to help increase footfall to support local shops, businesses and community facilities to thrive.
“As part of developing proposals for the Council owned land, opportunities to improve the area to create better walking and cycling links to the waterfront promenade are being explored.”
The demolition of buildings is anticipated to commence in Spring/Summer of 2024, subject to planning approval for the demolition works and appointment of a contractor to undertake the works. Once appointed, the contractor and Council will liaise with the local community on the proposed schedule of works.
For more information about the Runcorn Town Investment Plan, visit www.reconnectingruncorn.info
Photo caption: View from Mersey Road of Churchill Hall and Belvedere House [two buildings in foreground, to left of photo]. Demolition of these buildings are planned to make way new homes overlooking Centenary Promenade and waterfront.