New gateway to transform eyesore part of Whitehaven
Last updated at 17:04, Wednesday, 11 February 2009
A garage and scrap yard could be bulldozed to make way for an ambitious new gateway to Whitehaven.
Copeland Council is considering making a compulsory purchase of the Peter Hanratty scrap yard, GJ Autos and a number of derelict buildings on Albion Street.
The issue was being considered by the council’s executive committee today.
The sale of the land is part of a plan to transform an ‘unsightly’ part of the town.
Known as the Albion Square Development Project, it will turn the area into office space and provide employment accommodation.
The council, in conjunction with West Lakes Renaissance (WLR) commissioned Royal Haskoning and Green Design Group to develop proposals for the redevelopment of the site.
The junction between Irish Street, Newton and Albion Street/Rosemary Lane would be improved to introduce a new gateway into the town centre, with a mini roundabout at the top of Albion Street.
The cost of the project or any detailed plans have not been revealed so far. These figures were expected to be announced this afternoon at Copeland council’s executive meeting.
The council and WLR have recently acquired numbers 1 – 4 Newton and 16/17 Albion Street and the council also owns land behind Swingpump Lane. All of these sites will be used in the development.
GJ Autos is currently on the market for sale and according to the report to the committee, the owner of Peter Hanratty’s believes that his business has reached the end of its useful life in the area.
There are no plans to disturb the nearby Dusty Miller public house.
If the council’s executive committee agrees to pass the compulsory purchase order, it will go before the full council at the end of the month.
The compulsory order would be issued at the end of June, with a month for any objections. An inquiry may be held, with a decision made by the end of May 2010 and then possession of the land taking place.
Work would start in late 2010, or earlier if an inquiry is not held.
First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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Yet another "brilliant' idea from Copeland Council. (sarcasm intended). Going from the scaled picture it would also imply the destruction of the YMCA and area to extend the roundabout junction further up Irish street. Our council is renound in the north of England for the destruction of old and important buildings. How long can we continue to support these destroyers of our heritage?
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I wasn't aware Kells held such importance to warrant having its own "gateway". Perhaps it shall break away from the rest of Whitehaven and become an outlying village? Or Perhaps the council would rather waste their money on this "project" instead of improving the potholes in all the roads, along with the other problems Whitehaven has.
Posted by S Miller on 14 February 2009 at 23:33