Dear Mr Woods

Freedom of Information request

Thank you for your email received on 30 September 2013 requesting information about Astley House.

I have recorded your request for information under reference F2013.09.2208

This has been passed to the relevant service and you will receive a response by 30 October 2013, as required by law.

In line with guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the council may make a charge for the provision of information – for example in order to cover the costs of postage (in line with the relevant postal charges) or charges for printing and copying (which will reflect photocopying charges levied by the council’s public libraries).

You will be informed if a fee is to be applied before information is to be provided.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information
Knowsley MBC
Archway Road
Huyton
Knowsley
Merseyside
L36 9UX

show quoted sections

Dear Paul of the Woods Family

I refer to your Freedom of Information request regarding Astley House and
provide the following information in relation to each of the questions
raised. 

Can you tell me why Astley House was closed down?

A report to the Council’s Cabinet dated 17 June 2009 approved the
re-provision of Huyton Disability Resource Centre, which was based at
Astley House, as part of the proposed new Central Huyton Leisure
development (Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park) and the building was
declared surplus to requirements. It is the Council’s policy that services
of this nature should be co-located within all new leisure or community
facilities, and supported by discrete facilities for service users with
more complex needs.

Can you tell me why it is being demolished?

The former resource centre required substantial investment to address
backlog repairs and was considered to be no longer suitable for the
delivery of Council services. As part of the Council’s building
rationalisation programme the building is being demolished to ensure that
the Council avoids ongoing vacant running costs pending  the sale of the
land when it is released for alternative uses.

Can you tell me what plan the Council has for it and the land?

The site is in the Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability
Assessment and it is intended that in due course it will be included in a
future phase of the Housing Land Development disposal programme and
released for housing development, although there are no specific plans at
the moment.

Was the community consulted about its intended demolition and/or future
use?

A planning application was submitted for demolition of the building on 14
June 2013 (Application No: 13/00347/DEMCON), which was the subject of
public consultation.

The site has been identified for housing development as part of the
Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, which is subject
to public consultation as part of the Local Development Plan process.
Prior to any development of the site a planning application will be
required which will be the subject of public consultation.

P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.P

Ian Capper
Head of Asset Management

Knowsley Council
( Internal Tel:     2220
( External Tel:     0151 443 2220
( Mobile:              07775 221858
8   [email address]
*   PO Box 26, Archway Road, Huyton, Knowsley,
          Merseyside, L36 9YU

show quoted sections

Dear Mr Woods,

Freedom of Information request F2013-09-2208

We have looked into your request for information about Astley House, and
our response is shown below.

Can you tell me why Astley House was closed down?

A report to the Council’s Cabinet dated 17 June 2009 approved the
re-provision of Huyton Disability Resource Centre, which was based at
Astley House, as part of the proposed new Central Huyton Leisure
development (Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park) and the building was
declared surplus to requirements. It is the Council’s policy that services
of this nature should be co-located within all new leisure or community
facilities, and supported by discrete facilities for service users with
more complex needs.

Can you tell me why it is being demolished?

The former resource centre required substantial investment to address
backlog repairs and was considered to be no longer suitable for the
delivery of Council services. As part of the Council’s building
rationalisation programme the building is being demolished to ensure that
the Council avoids ongoing vacant running costs pending  the sale of the
land when it is released for alternative uses.

Can you tell me what plan the Council has for it and the land?

The site is in the Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability
Assessment and it is intended that in due course it will be included in a
future phase of the Housing Land Development disposal programme and
released for housing development, although there are no specific plans at
the moment.

Was the community consulted about its intended demolition and/or future
use?

A planning application was submitted for demolition of the building on 14
June 2013 (Application No: 13/00347/DEMCON), which was the subject of
public consultation.

The site has been identified for housing development as part of the
Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, which is subject
to public consultation as part of the Local Development Plan process.
Prior to any development of the site a planning application will be
required which will be the subject of public consultation.

If you need further information please see contact details below.

Kind regards,

Freedom of Information

Knowsley MBC

Archway Road

Huyton

Knowsley

Merseyside

L36 9UX

show quoted sections

Dear Mr Woods,

Thank you for your email received on 24 November 2013 requesting information about Astley House.

I have recorded your request for information under reference F2013.10.2316 as this is an additional question.

This has been passed to the relevant service and you will receive a response by 21 November 2013, as required by law.

In line with guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the council may make a charge for the provision of information – for example in order to cover the costs of postage (in line with the relevant postal charges) or charges for printing and copying (which will reflect photocopying charges levied by the council’s public libraries).

You will be informed if a fee is to be applied before information is to be provided.

Kind regards

Freedom of Information
Knowsley MBC
Archway Road
Huyton
Knowsley
Merseyside
L36 9UX

show quoted sections

Dear Paul of the Woods Family

In answer to your additional request for information I can advise that the total cost of the demolition of Astley House was £65,500 including all associated surveys and fees.

Ian Capper
Head of Asset Management
Knowsley Council
Internal Tel: 2220
External Tel: 0151 443 2220
[mobile number]
[email address]
PO Box 26, Archway Road, Huyton, Knowsley,
Merseyside, L36 9YU

show quoted sections