Sell-off still on track despite credit crunch

Oct 17 2008 By Rupert Basham

Runnymede Council's former HQ

Plans to sell Runnymede Council's former HQ and net 'at least £5m' are on track despite the credit crunch, according to council leader John Furey.

The Tory chief is dismissing claims from the Runnymede Labour Group that the council will struggle to find a buyer for the old civic office building in Station Road, Addlestone, which became redundant when the council's new £11.92m glass-fronted building opened next door in March.

Cllr Furey said there has been no shortage of interest in the site from developers looking to build homes, despite a downturn in the UK housing market with would-be buyers finding it harder to obtain mortgages.

If the council is to sell off the site, which includes the former Addlestone Police Station building in Garfield Road, as many as 152 flats and homes could be built and it would allow the borough to recoup some of the money it spent on its new HQ.

Cllr Furey said: "We're in the process of putting together the contracts now. We've had 13 contractors inspect the site, and along with our corporate management committee, we've decided on the best offer."

Although a preferred developer for the site has been chosen, the council will not name names at this stage for reasons of commerical confidentiality.

He also disputed Labour claims that the ex-council offices are "costing a fortune" while they remain unsold, saying: "Although we're paying for electricity we aren't paying for security at the building - we have alarms, and the cost of running it is minimal."

Labour's candidate for parliament in Runnymede, Paul Greenwood, has consistently argued that the council should have refurbished its aging former offices instead of building from scratch.

He said: "The Conservatives chose to build an iconic building. They claimed it was a better service for the community, but until they sell the buildings (the old civic centre and police station), it is going to be costing us a fortune."

The new civic centre was officially unveiled by the Duke of Gloucester last week.