A row of shops and former air raid shelter could be flattened to make way for improvements to the grounds of The Brindley.
Plans have been submitted to bulldoze four ground floor commercial units and upstairs accommodation at 1-4 High Street in Runcorn.
The proposals also include demolishing a derelict neighbouring building – a former air raid shelter – to the rear or St Paul’s Mews in the Old Town.
The demolition plans are part of a wider scheme to redevelop Brindley Green and The Brindley theatre itself. The £5.6m work planned for the theatre includes a new extension with a large cafe-restaurant, with the existing glazed entrance being demolished as part of the remodelling work.
Runcorn library will also be relocated and integrated into new Brindley building itself. In addition to work on the actual structure, just under £1m has also been earmarked to transform Brindley Green into a new civic space for hosting pop-up events. Work is expected to start this summer.
If given the go ahead, the demolition work would start on July 27 and be completed by August 23.
The council’s ruling executive board approved the purchase of St Paul’s Mews in March, 2022, with the money coming from its capital budget – money earmarked for infrastructure projects.
A planning application submitted online, said: “St Paul’s Mews and ancillary building is to be demolished to allow for the re-development of the open space adjacent to the Brindley Theatre and improvements to the High Street.
“The method of demolition is to be by machine within a controlled environment.”
The Brindley scheme is one of eight projects which form part of the Reconnecting Runcorn series of works. The Reconnecting Runcorn cash comes from a larger pot of £23.6m provided via the Government’s Town Deal and is aimed at transforming Runcorn Town Centre.
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