Heritage building saved from bulldozers

A HISTORIC landmark in Wallasey on the Wirral will be saved and converted to modern apartments after a last-minute rescue package was agreed by the local council and developers.
 
Andrew Gibson House, a former home for retired seafarers on Seabank Road, Wallasey, had been threatened with demolition after previous owners Nautilus Welfare Trust said it no longer met the requirements of their residents.

Wirral Council stepped in and, in partnership with developers Prospect Capital, has found a solution which will see the building renovated into attractive apartments next to an all-new residential development and a dedicated base for the mariner’s charity.
 
The move guarantees the future of a cherished piece of East Wirral’s maritime heritage, which has been empty for more than a decade.

Cllr Adrian Jones, Wirral Council’s cabinet member for resources, finance, assets and technology, said: “I am delighted to be able to say that, working in partnership with the developers and owners of this historic site, we’ve found a solution that works for every party including, importantly, the local residents.
 
“Residents have been telling us that they want to see the building saved. The development will provide new housing, new investment and a new home for some of our most vulnerable local people, in line with the pledges we’ve made as part of our 2020 Vision for Wirral.”

A planning application is due to be submitted before the end of the summer for the project.

A spokesperson for Nautilus Welfare Trust explained: “This is a great result and a win-win solution that saves the building and provides us with the brand new accommodation we need.

“Wirral Council has played a key role releasing additional land that enables us to deliver a commercially sustainable development that subsidises the cost of refurbishing what is a very striking, but extremely challenging heritage building.”
 
Prospect Capital managing director Craig Blackwell said: “As someone born and brought up in the area I really wanted to see this building saved.

“It’s such an important piece of shared history and is really cherished by people in the area because of its architecture and what it signifies in terms of the area’s maritime heritage.
 
“There was a fantastic amount of good will from Nautilus and Wirral Council and together we have come-up with a solution that saves the building and works for all parties.”

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