Warrington to head property pilot scheme

WARRINGTON has been chosen as one of only three locations in the North West to act as a pilot area for the ‘One Public Estate’ scheme.
The scheme is designed to encourage local councils to work with Government and public sector organisations to share buildings and re-use or release surplus property and land.
It aims to deliver savings, encourage redevelopment and act as a driver for growth. Thirteen pilot areas have been identified in the UK*.
In Warrington, options are being considered to create a town centre based central hub for some public services which is line with the £190million Stadium Quarter plans announced earlier this year. The scheme will comprise a mix of commercial, leisure, residential and educational development which will include the proposed University Technical College.
Steve Park, managing director, Warrington & Co., Warrington Borough Council’s partnership for driving growth said: “We are pleased to have been chosen as a pilot area for One Public Estate and looking forward to working with the Government Property Unit to progress plans. This ‘joined up’ approach has the potential to create rational and sensible economies and be a potential asset in progressing Warrington’s regeneration proposals for the Stadium Quarter and Bridge Street.”
The One Public Estate pilot schemes will look at land and property issues as a whole within geographic areas rather than from an individual departmental point of view. This thinking might result in offering better services to local people by providing them all in one location. Efficiencies might also be made by sharing buildings, for instance, to encourage regeneration and growth, or by selling land in small parcels rather than the larger areas which will attract local development and business.