Redevelopment opportunity hits the market in Crosby

A prominent retail unit has been brought on to the market in Crosby for ₤425,000. Formerly the video and audio shop, P&A Audio, the agents marketing the property say the building could suit a multitude of uses, including office, clinic or conversion to residential, subject to planning. Totalling over 5,000 sq. ft., the property at 98 Liverpool Road comprises a traditional detached ground and first floor premises of red brick construction with a pitched slate roof. The premises occupy a prominent position on Liverpool Road (A565) at the Claremont Road Junction, which is a busy commuter route from the Liverpool City Centre, to Crosby and beyond. Agents Hitchcock Wright and Partners are selling the property on behalf of owners P&A Audio. P&A will continue to trade from its Southport branch on Princes Street.

Matt Kerrigan, partner at Hitchcock Wright & Partners, said:- "This property offers a fantastic opportunity for a retailer, or someone with the vision to convert the space in to office or residential accommodation, subject to planning. In close proximity to the newly regenerated Crosby town centre, the property benefits from high footfall and a strong local community who enjoy the area's varied offerings. It's an opportunity not to be missed."

The surrounding properties are of mixed use, including Merchant Taylors school, St Mary's college and a car repair garage to the rear. Other nearby leisure occupiers include:- Crosby Comrades Club and Pioneer Bar and Brasserie. For more information about this property, please contact Matt Kerrigan or John Barker on:- 0151 227 3400.

Potential of farmland still ignored in rural housing crisis, says CLA

FEWER affordable homes are being built in small villages because local authorities are continuing to ignore the potential of developing farmland, according to the CLA. New Government data shows that despite a 17% increase in the total amount of new affordable homes built in small rural communities across England in 2018, 143 fewer homes were built on Rural Exception Sites, land which is not usually granted planning permission, but where affordable development is allowed. The CLA which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses said that if Rural Exception Sites are not used to their full potential there is little hope of solving the acute shortage of rural housing.

CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said:- "Rural Exception Sites are a key means of providing affordable homes in rural areas where a landowner provides land at below market value to build affordable homes for local people. However, the latest figures show how drastically underused they are. Our own report into making villages sustainable for the future set out ways to ensure Local Authorities use all the mechanisms available to deliver new rural affordable homes. They must be proactive in order to breathe new life into our rural communities and help to solve the rural housing crisis."

To encourage the building of much needed affordable homes in rural areas, the CLA has called on the Government and Local Authorities to:-

► Change sustainability criteria for rural settlements from an assessment of services the community has, to what it needs.

► This outdated assessment of the facilities and services that a rural settlement needs rarely takes into account broadband as important when considering areas for development. 1 step to achieving this change is to make housing needs assessments mandatory.

► Allow cross subsidy on Entry Level Exception Sites.

► Allowing a small amount of open market housing on these sites ensures viability for the landowner so that sites can be bought forward and developed.

► Exempt properties provided as affordable homes from Inheritance Tax = 52% of CLA members say they would be more willing to build and manage affordable homes for rent for local people if the value of the housing was conditionally exempt from Inheritance Tax while being let at an affordable rent.

► Enforce up to date Local Plans = Between 30% to 40% of local authorities still do not have up to date adopted Local Plans to deliver much needed housing. Even those with adopted Plans do not provide sufficient detail to drive the delivery of local housing in small rural settlements.

► Formalise the process for landowners to manage affordable homes = Issues can arise when landowners want to build and manage affordable housing themselves. If the Government were to introduce a standard Section 106 agreement to allow this it would give Local Authorities greater confidence to grant planning consent.

Mini-excavator smashes up the Liverpool Edge Lane Travelodge

SHOCKING footage of a mini-digger (excavator) being driven into the Edge Lane Travelodge, on Liverpool Innovation Park (LIP) has been posted online today. The footage posted by Gary Rothwell on Facebook shows both outside and inside the building. You can see it on our Facebook Wall. We are told that the incident took place on 21 January 2019, at around 3pm.  After the machine smashes in to the building, it then goes on a rampage inside, with workers still the building!

On videos posted by Gary Rothwell, the driver can be heard shouting out that he should have been paid:- "₤600" as he smashes up the Liverpool Edge Lane Travelodge. Once inside the reception of the hotel, the digger can be seen crashing into walls, windows as well as the fittings and fixtures, including the front desk. Despite some workers trying to shut down the digger, the determined operator then proceeds to smash up a large part of the building, before crashing out of it. He was later stopped in the car park when he came out again, by workers who risked their lives to chase after the digger, trying to open the back to press what we think was the emergency stop button. Merseyside Police had been called to the scene, but the digger driver had already run from the area before they arrived.

There is no suggestion that anyone other than the driver of the digger was involved in this incident, at this stage. We are also told that a male was treated at the scene by North West Ambulance Service.

Merseyside Police said:- "We are appealing for information after damage was caused to a hotel under construction in Liverpool, on Monday 21 January 2019. We received a report shortly before 3pm that the digger was being driven into the entrance of the Travelodge building in the Liverpool Innovation Park. The driver then left the vehicle and made off on foot in the direction of Edge Lane. 1 man experienced eye irritation due to exposure to diesel and was treated at the scene by North West Ambulance Service. It is not believed anyone else was injured during the incident. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services and contractors attended to ensure the site was safe. Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police via calling:- 101 quoting incident reference:- '19100021276' or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111 or via their online at:- CcrimeStoppers-UK.Org and follow the links to the online report a crime form."