Derelict office site to be sold

A DERELICT office building in Runcorn which has been the centre of a controversial flats project is due to go under the hammer later this month.

East Lane House is up for auction on Thursday, September 15.

The derelict property opposite Runcorn Shopping Centre has appeared on the website of property consultants and auctioneers Allsop with a guide price of more than £1m.

Planning permission was eventually granted on appeal to convert the former office building into 448 apartments, 394 of them in the ‘studio’ style and the other 54 having one bedroom.

The Weekly News reported in early August that winding-up proceedings were under way at Absolute Living Developments, the company behind the project’s original launch.

The Planning Inspectorate found in the compa- ny’s favour, after Halton councillors had originally refused to grant permission.

The building – listed as lot 188 in the auction – is described on the Allsop website as a ‘freehold former office building’ which has five floors.

Though planning permission for the 448 flats has been granted, the auction website said that there is ‘possible potential’ for alternative uses, subject to necessary consent being given.

Describing the former office block, the website said: “The property comprises a detached building arranged over ground and four upper floors beneath a flat roof.

“The property is situated on a site extending to approximately 1.22 hectares (3.03 acres).

“The property benefits from planning permission for change of use from office building to 448 selfcontained apartments comprising 394 x studio flats and 54 x one bedroom flats.”