With Eastfield House, the council’s replacement for its Godmanchester Depot, nearing completion and the planning consent for the replacement of Pathfinder House expected any day, Huntingdonshire District Council is about to commit to the £17.6 million redevelopment of its Huntingdon headquarters.
Speaking ahead of a series of meetings at which councillors are to be briefed on the latest developments in the project Councillor Ian Bates, leader of the council, said: “We know we have to replace Pathfinder House as there are serious problems with the building. But we have to be sure at each stage of the process that we pause and take stock. Although we are expecting a planning approval we know that our neighbours, the people with homes in St Mary’s Street, are concerned about the proposed buildings and we still have to find the best solution for the very important Grade II* listed Castle Hill House.”
The council has the option to replace the office block planned to be built along St Mary’s Street with apartments. Jonathan Gray, chairman of one of the council’s influential scrutiny panels which are to consider the options explained: “Huntingdon has seen an upsurge in high quality apartment developments. This site is ideal, it is close to the town centre and more importantly the railway station. If the council can obtain a planning consent it would make sense to make the site available for residential use”.
Although Castle Hill House was initially to be refurbished and extended for conversion to flats the council has concluded, following detailed negotiations with English Heritage, that this may not be the best solution to ensure the conservation of this important building. Rather than sell the building and risk it not being fully restored the council now is investigating how it could be used to provide modern-day offices without detracting from the heritage of the building. Commenting on this Councillor Bates said: “We have the opportunity to restore one of Huntingdon’s finest public buildings and enhance its setting while we consider its longer term future.
“This will also provide the council with the office space it needs in the short term if it does decide on the residential option along St Mary’s Street. We are hopeful of doing this within our existing budget and still have the opportunity to dispose of Castle Hill House at a later date if we no longer need the space and the right buyer comes along.”
Alfred McAlpine, the council’s development partner, is preparing options for both the St Mary’s Street residential scheme and the refurbishment of Castle Hill House. The plan, if supported by the council’s cabinet at the end of June, will be for the options to be submitted for planning approval before the St Mary’s Street residential option is market tested.
Councillor Bates who is chairman of the cabinet, added: “We have a window of opportunity to test these potentially attractive options over the next few months. We can do this without compromising the overall development programme which has to deliver new offices before the existing Pathfinder House deteriorates too far. The council has always been committed to achieving value for money from the building of its new offices and we have to give these latest options serious consideration.”
The council is also working with staff on more flexible working arrangements that could reduce their need to travel into Huntingdon every day. There are also new proposals for delivering services to customers in their own homes and through out-reach centres at Ramsey, St Ives, St Neots and Yaxley. All these factors have an influence on the council’s future office requirements.
Photo of Latham House credited to Geoff Soden.