Plans for historic buildings to be demolished

Planning documents from Signature Housing Group show an artist's impression of the planned development

Two historic buildings could be demolished to make way for developments, despite warnings it could cause “substantial harm” to a town’s historic environment.

If approved, proposals submitted to Halton Council would see Runcorn’s Waterloo House and neighbouring Carnegie Library converted into 29 supported living apartments and a community hub.

A report said Waterloo House was a “dangerous” building that was “beyond viable economic repair”.

Both applications have been recommended for approval when the council’s development management committee meets next week.

Waterloo House was constructed in the 1830s and later became Runcorn’s town hall between 1874 to 1933.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the applicant maintained the building was in a dangerous condition and that retention of the house was “not feasible or economical”.

The applicant noted the site had been empty for many years and advocated for demolition, to make way for three storeys of supported living apartments for adults with early onset dementia and other special needs.

Hoever, the council’s conservation advisor stated the loss of Waterloo House “would result in substantial harm” to Halton’s historic environment.

Waterloo House was constructed by industrialist Charles Hazelhurst in the early 1830s

Proposals also involve a transformation of the neighbouring Carnegie Library into a community hub with three rooms which could be used for meeting spaces for local groups, as well as counselling sessions.

The Carnegie building was constructed in 1906 and was the main library in Runcorn for many years. It was awarded Grade II-listed status in 2007.

Save Britain’s Heritage said they had written to object to the proposals, explaining the building's “evidential, social and historical value”.

The charity, that campaigns to protect historic buildings, added that the buildings were of key “importance to the town’s heritage”.

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