about…

A site north of Rutland Street, that has emerged following the demolition of the Trumpet Loop in 2021, is included in the Runcorn Town Investment Plan, part of the Town Deal. Rather than sell the land to a developer, the Council invited local people to come forward and become involved in a community led housing project. A Community Land Trust (CLT) was subsequently set up. The Council commissioned Ellis Williams Architects for a concept design of a housing scheme on the site. The concept design allowed for 36 new homes, and was developed in consultation with the CLT. The concept design included a variety of housing types and also a number of smaller workspaces. The associated cost plan, at the point of submitting the final bid to Government, however showed that neither the Council, nor the CLT, did have all the funding secured for the development. Recent construction cost inflation (to build) and rising interest rates (for loans) made the viability gap bigger. The Council was advised by consultants to reduce the scope of the bid and submit a business case for the land remediation only, not for the actual construction of houses. This bid is in consideration by Government. The bid has now been approved, which should enable land remediation. Once the land remediation is delivered, it will reduce cost and uncertainty to benefit a future community led housing development.