Calderstones plans take step forward

The Reader Organisation has appointed architecture and planning practice Cass Associates to help transform the grade 2-listed Calderstones Mansion in Liverpool into an International Centre for Reading & Wellbeing.

Liverpool-based Cass Associates previously worked alongside the Reader Organisation to draw up concept and feasibility plans for the historic Mansion House, Stable Yard and Coach House at Calderstones Park in order to win preferred bidder status with the owners, Liverpool City Council.

Following open days and public consultations The Reader Organisation has now commissioned Cass Associates to provide architecture, planning and landscape architecture services to design detailed proposals to secure further funding to develop the scheme.

Jane Davis, founder and director of the Reader Organisation, said: "Our vision is to bring The Mansion House, Coach House & Stable Yard back to life as The International Centre for Reading and Wellbeing. This will be a place for everyone; we want people from the local area, the wider city of Liverpool, the rest of the UK and beyond to read, learn, play, make new friends and find new opportunities at Calderstones."

The Reader Organisation secured Preferred Bidder status on the Mansion in January this year. The organisation currently has a licence agreement with Liverpool City Council to use the buildings for meetings, activities and events.

Development will be phased with The International Centre for Reading and Wellbeing expected to be fully operational by 2016.

Photo kindly supplied by Dave Jones Photography