Views are sought on flats bid at old hotel
CONSULTATION has been launched over proposals to redevelop a former hotel site in Runcorn into 24 flats.
Stockport-based Premier Builders has posted leaflets to residents in the vicinity of the plot of land previously occupied by The Panorama on Castle Road in Halton Village to gauge opinion on its plans for a five-storey block of one and twobed units.
An artist’s impression on the front of the leaflet appears to show a building with some similar features such as general white and black colour scheme and corner brickwork style to the hotel.
It appears to show road access from a sloping highway, probably Castle Road.
A copy of the pamphlet, seen by the Weekly News, said Premier Builders, which acquired the site recently, is preparing to submit a planning application and is “seeking comments from the local community on the proposed development to inform and influence the design of the scheme prior to its submission”.
It said the site is about half an acre in size at the corner of Castle Road and Main Street, Halton Village, Runcorn.
The proposed development would have 24 flats with a mix of one and two-bed units and 29 parking spaces for cars, “landscaped gardens” and “public amenity space” with the “shared communal areas”, although the leaflet did not provide details of or to what extent it envisages “shared communal spaces”, nor details of room layouts and amenities within the individual flats.
It said: “The application is driven by the desire to diversify the housing stock and revive a derelict and vacant site within Halton that has remained undeveloped for over 10 years.
“The development of residential apartments will help bring forward an allocated brownfield site for much needed housing, with an element of affordable provision.”
Residents have been asked to email their thoughts on a “photograph of their feedback form” to communityconsultation@kingscrownproperties.co.uk, or send the completed form to Premier Builders Ltd, Suites 7-10 Prudential
Building, 61 St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1DH.
The Panorama hotel was demolished after it was gutted by fire in 2009. Since then the site, which lies within the Halton Village conservation area, has remained in development limbo.
Planning permission was previously granted for 15 “luxury flats” on the site.
That was later reduced to 13 following an application in 2013.
A section of wall on Castle Road collapsed in 2017 and was never repaired.
Rebuilding work took place this year to make a bulging wall at the corner of Castle Road and Main Street safe.