One of Runcorn’s most historic buildings looks set to be flattened to make way for supported living apartments, despite warnings from the council’s own heritage expert that it could cause ‘substantial harm’ to the borough’s historic environment.

Halton Council’s development management committee is recommended to rubber-stamp proposals by Signature Housing Group to demolish Waterloo House when it meets next week. The plans would also see a neighbouring Grade-II listed structure refurbished and converted into a community hub.

Dating back to the 1830s, Waterloo House on Egerton Street was constructed by industrialist Charles Hazelhurst, and later converted for use as the Runcorn’s Town Hall between 1874 to 1933. A report to the committee said the applicant claimed it was a ‘dangerous building’ that was ‘beyond viable economic repair’.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Waterloo House with Carnegie Library to the rightWaterloo House with Carnegie Library to the right (Image: Google)

Once bulldozed, 29 supported living apartments would be built. The three-storey facility would provide accommodation for adults with early onset dementia and other special needs. The site would have a communal garden and parking for 20 vehicles.

The proposals would see the neighbouring Carnegie Library building refurbished and turned into a community hub. It would have three community rooms which could be used for meeting spaces for local groups, as well as counselling sessions.

The Carnegie building was constructed in 1906 with money donated by Scottish American businessman Andrew Carnegie. It was the main library in Runcorn until a larger library was opened in the 1970s at Halton Lea. It first became a branch library, then closed as a library in 2012. The building was awarded Grade II listed status in 2007.

Two applications had been submitted, one for demolition and construction at the Waterloo House site, and another for listed building consent for work to commence on the Carnegie Building. Both are recommended for approval.

A total of 60 representations have been received to the Waterloo House plans, with the council’s own conservation advisor stating that the total loss of Waterloo House 'would result in substantial harm’ to Halton’s historic environment.

The Ancient Monuments Society has also objected to the listed building consent application.

But recommending approval, a report to the committee, said: “The dangerous condition of this building is a key factor in this case.

“The applicant has undertaken an investigation into the retention of the Waterloo Centre and its façade, however this is not feasible or economical. The demolition would remedy the risk currently proposed. The granting of these applications would also give the opportunity for the site to be redeveloped noting that it has been vacant for many years.”