Astmoor Regeneration Masterplan (2018)
A consultant team comprising BDP, JLL, Curtins, and EKOSGEN has been commissioned by Halton Borough Council to prepare a masterplan and five year delivery strategy to guide the regeneration of Astmoor.
Astmoor has been identified as one of eight locations in the Borough where the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and the reconfigured road network have the potential to open up land, stimulate new development and reposition the area for growth. Any vision and objectives for the regeneration of Astmoor will seek to help existing businesses prosper, stimulate job creation, as well as attract new investment.
The draft Masterplan will identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Estate and consider how to attract new development and investment into Astmoor, including what happens to the land being handed back to Council now that the Mersey Gateway Bridge is operational. It will also seek to identify potential infrastructure improvements, such as car parking, landscaping, street lighting and signage.
Vision & Objectives:
“To transform Astmoor Industrial Estate; to create a modern, business park environment to enable it to prosper to meet existing business needs and create new employment development opportunities. Astmoor will provide an attractive and distinctive location within the Liverpool City Region where a strong business community will thrive.”
Why do we need a Masterplan?
Astmoor Industrial Estate is a major dedicated employment area, one of the largest in the Liverpool City Region, located to the northeast of Runcorn. It caters primarily for manufacturing and distribution businesses and currently provides in excess of 2.3 million square feet of business accommodation. Over 7hectares of prime land is now available for development, in addition to opportunities to reconfigure and enhance existing accommodation on the estate. This has the underlying capacity to support the growth of existing businesses and attract new investment.
Why Now?
In October 2017, the six lane Mersey Gateway Bridge opened to traffic. The Mersey Gateway project has created a new strategic transport route linking the Liverpool city-region and the northwest to the rest of the UK. It crosses Astmoor Industrial Estate on elevated piers and was made possible through the acquisition and clearance of a central area of Astmoor, following the relocation of businesses. The bridge has enhanced the prominence and connectivity of Astmoor and provides the catalyst for intervention. Astmoor is identified as one of eight regeneration ‘Impact Areas’ linked to the Mersey Gateway Project. These areas will be prioritised for investment and development in the Borough over the next ten to fifteen years.
Who will Deliver What?
Halton Borough Council, in partnership with the Astmoor BID and Halton Chamber of Commerce, is committed to the regeneration of Astmoor. A consortium of consultants led by urban design and town planning specialists BDP was appointed in November 2018 to bring forward proposals that will see the estate greatly enhanced through remodelling of the estate road network, refurbishment of the poorer areas of the estate, along with new pedestrian pathways and cycle routes. The completion of the Mersey Gateway will release 7ha of handback land later this year, ripe for investment and development
How Can I get Involved?
If you would like to know more about the Astmoor Regeneration Masterplan, our 3 Year Discretionary Business Rates Relief scheme available for new builds or refurbishments, or are just interested in the opportunities available, please email astmoor@halton.gov.uk for more information.
You can also sign up for Masterplan news updates at the same email address.
Watch this space for further updates! The Masterplan is nearing completion and will be available for download.
Discretionary Rate Relief for Astmoor
From April 2019 Halton Borough Council is seeking expressions of interest from businesses, landlords and developers who are undertaking developments which complement the Mersey Gateway Regeneration Plan Plus, and who may be eligible for discretionary business rate relief. The scheme will operate for a period of 5 years from April 2019 to March 2024, offering tapered relief for a maximum of 3 years during that period, and will principally seek to boost private sector investment in high quality commercial buildings.
Eligibility
Open to new and existing businesses, landlords and developers who wish to build, expand or refurbish premises, rate relief may be offered to:
- A business not currently trading in Halton building on land in Astmoor which is not currently in the rating system.
- A business already on the ratings system that wishes to relocate within Astmoor, expand or refurbish.
- Any current business rate liability would continue to apply in respect of an existing property, after which business rates relief could be offered on the ADDITIONAL UPLIFT ONLY. So this may be on the additional square footage added to an existing building, the uplift on business rates for a refurbished property or for the whole of a new build not currently on the ratings system.
- If a business applies in years 1, 2 or 3, they could obtain the maximum relief. If a business applies in year 4 or 5 they would only obtain relief for the remaining years of the scheme (1 or 2 years).
- The business rates relief will only be available for 3 years to individual businesses and will only apply to developments in planning use classes B1, B2, B8 and business operating in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. It will exclude the retail, leisure and financial services sectors.
- Where the scheme falls within a Business Improvement District (BID) area such as Astmoor, businesses will still be responsible for paying the BID levy in full, including any increase related to an uplift in your rateable value.
- Each application for relief will be considered on its individual merits and will be at the sole discretion of Halton Borough Council.
- State Aid rules will apply.
- All planning applications should be submitted in the normal way. Whether or not you decide to apply for and subsequently secure business rate relief, will not influence any planning permissions being sought. The scheme is optional and is being implemented as a means of stimulating growth on Astmoor with quality buildings and some associated ‘green’ benefits.
To request an Information Pack please email:
