Rossendale councillors have given the green light for a construction company to explore the potential regeneration of a former shopping arcade and nightclub, as part of a government-supported £20m regeneration scheme.
Barnfield Investment Properties has been tasked by Rossendale Council to assess the viability of redeveloping the old Heritage Arcade and adjacent buildings on Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, which have lain vacant for approximately 25 years.
The council is hopeful that the current £1.2 million asking price for the former arcade can be negotiated down if redevelopment proves feasible.
The properties, including the nightclub, are owned by Hurstwood Holdings, while the former Domus shop unit at 17-19 Bacup Road is registered to a local business owner, council documents show.
Rossendale Council's cabinet has endorsed officer recommendations for the borough to spearhead a project aimed at revitalising the former arcade and neighbouring structures, utilising funds from the newly introduced Plan for Neighbourhoods, spread over a decade.
Initially launched by the previous Conservative government under the banner of the Long Term Plan for Towns, the initiative has since been expanded and rebranded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods by the incoming Labour administration.
As well as property development, the scheme also encompasses community, leisure, education, and police activities.
The cabinet has given the green light to start working with Barnfield Investment Properties on a feasibility study for the old arcade site, as part of the Rossendale Together Barnfield joint venture partnership, which includes Together Housing.
The cabinet has delegated authority to senior council officers, in consultation with Coun Nick Harris, the lead councillor for economic development, to negotiate agreements related to the project within a set budget, including procurement of necessary consultancy and contractor services.
At the cabinet meeting, Cllr Harris said: "These recommendations may sound dry but they are important. This is an old cinema site and next door includes the former Domus retail unit which have been empty for years. There was a planning application for housing on some of the site which has not progressed. It's a blot on the town centre. If this could be progressed, it would form part of the wider 'jigsaw' of town centre improvements."
"Fortunately, we have some funding to explore the building's value. Barnfield will look into options and get back to us. Hopefully they will give some sense of usage which is affordable and practical. Barnfield will then be offered the work, if appropriate."
He added: "It's significant because this is the first project we have for the new £20million Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. It includes Rawtenstall and other areas such as Crawshawbooth and Waterfoot.
"We also have the new Plan for Neighbourhoods Board, chaired by Ian Taylor, and other people involved with community, skills, youth and leisure activity. By November, we aim to have a full programme for the next financial year.
"The board went to look at these buildings recently. Hopefully we can bring these rather tatty buildings back into use, some of which have listed status."
He added: "Another example of practical activity is work at the Staghills estate including police and education There's a lot going on."
Labour Cllr Liz McInnes commented on the Bacup Road site, saying: "I'm very pleased that some action is proposed. This site has been a eyesore for some time. Residents call me about tiles falling onto the road. There are hazards for pedestrians. It's really about time we did something.
"But I would add some caution because, at this stage, this is just a study into viability. I was a bit concerned that Hurstwood are wanting to sell it for £1.2million. I hope that figure might be negotiable."
Labour Cllr Alyson Barnes, council leader, indicated flexibility on the matter: "I think it'd be up for negotiation. I've seen it on Rightmove."
Labour Cllr Andrew Walmsley added: "This had me thinking about how long the site has been closed, how long it's had planning permission and, more widely, all the changes in Rawtenstall town centre, such as the new bus station and regenerated Old Town Hall.
"This Bacup Road site illustrates some of the town centre issues we face, with planning permission existing but some things not actually moving forward. This viability study will hopefully show some options. I think we have a proven track record with other town centre projects. I welcome this but also re-emphasise this is a viability study."
Cllr Barnes thanked council officers for their contribution and added: "It's good to see this focus on Bacup Road. It has been a long journey for all our town centres. We promised to work on town centres back in 2011 and have never moved away from that. It's an ongoing challenge with having so many town centres in Rossendale but I think we are moving forward."
