D-day named for controversial demolition of business estate
Halton Council has lodged an application to find out if prior notification is required to bulldoze the Golden Triangle Estate.
The World reported in February how firms at the site – some of which had been there since the early 80s – had been ordered to leave in order to make way for 240 new homes.
Unlike a full planning application, an ‘application for prior approval’ is not seeking formal permission to demolish the site, which is normally not required anyway under something called ‘permitted development rights’.
But it lets the council essentially check that any such work would be done safely.
If approved, demolition would take place on October 1 this year.
Business on the estate say it is home to between ‘around 30 or 40’ firms encompassing everything from loft insulation to ice cream vans. They estimate collectively the firms all employ around 200 people.
Some of the firms alleged they had not been given adequate notice to leave and had been offered no support finding alternative accommodation.
Many of the businesses had written to Widnes and Halewood MP Derek Twigg. In a response to the World he said at the time he had contacted Halton Borough Council to ask that it review the situation as ‘a matter of urgency’.
A Halton Borough Council spokeswoman previously said the site had been set aside for housing in the borough’s local plan – a strategic long-term planning document – four years ago.
She added: “Our intention has always been to work alongside the businesses to support relocation in a way that minimises disruption. We remain committed to being flexible, and we will work with the businesses to agree a timeframe as we move forward together.”
An outline application was put forward by Halton Borough Council and developer Cityheart late last year for 240 properties on the estate.
It forms phase two of a wider Foundry Lane ‘masterplan’ first unveiled back in 2022, with phase one getting underway in May this year – involving construction of 63 two and three-bed ‘affordable’ homes in partnership with social housing company Plus Dane, to be made available for shared ownership and rent.
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