Council gives green light for flat conversion

COUNCILLORS have given the green light for a project to convert a former Government office in Runcorn into 241 flats.

The proposal was given swift backing with no opposition by Halton Borough Council’s development control committee on Monday.

Cllr Dave Thompson, Halton Lea ward, excused himself from the matter and declared an interest having previously spoken out about issues relating to general dereliction along East Lane where the building stands.

The committee’s decision means developers Barnsley-based Lettings Agents Ltd can plough ahead and turn the former Department For Education (DfE) office into 184 one-bed units, 45 two-bed flats and 12 studio apartments.

An existing planning permission was already in place for 188 units comprising 87 one-bed flats, 77 studios and 24 two-bed.

Due to Lettings Agents Ltd’s application being a ‘change of use’ request, councillors could only decide whether it needed ‘prior approval’, basing their decision on transport and highways impacts, contamination risk, flooding risk and the noise impact from commercial premises on the intended occupiers of the development.

The site already has 160 parking spaces.

A report published ahead of the session said the development would generate similar amounts of traffic to when it was an office, it had no history of contaminative land use, the flood risk was less than one in 1,000 and residents would not face noise misery from commercial premises.

Four representations had been filed over the proposals.

Objectors said the area does not need more homes and lacks amenities.

Castle View House closed in 2013 and hundreds of public sector staff were relocated to other offices including in Manchester.

The DfE turned down a £1 offer from Halton Borough Council and later sold it to Craig Blackwell & Consortium for £900,000 in 2015.