Council markets London Road Fire Station development

9 December 2010 09:47 Comments (0)

Manchester City Council is seeking a development partner to bring the derelict London Road Fire Station back into use.

The council and its advisers GVA Grimley are looking for a partner with "the financial resource and track record" to redevelop the Grade II*-listed building as a four-star hotel.

The building is currently subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order made by the Council with a government decision expected in late spring. Planning permission was granted to the building's current owners in September 2010 for its conversion into a 227-room hotel.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This is an iconic building in a gateway site but has been allowed to fall into disrepair and become an eyesore rather than an asset.

"London Road Fire Station is on English Heritage's buildings at risk register and we are determined to bring it back into appropriate use, so it can make a positive contribution to the regeneration of the Piccadilly area, as soon as possible.

"While the current owners have obtained planning permission to convert the former fire station into a hotel, the Council is yet to be satisfied that there is any guarantee this will be implemented.

"The building has been in the hands of its current owners for more than 20 years and although they have brought forward a number of previous planning applications dating back as far as 1986 nothing has ever been delivered.

"We want to make sure that if we are successful in obtaining a Compulsory Purchase Order we have a development partner in place to avoid delay in bringing this valuable asset back into use so that it supports our regeneration priorities. It is more important than ever that we remain committed to delivering the growth agenda of the city."