Land on the market after council pulls out of deal
Plans for a £7million office complex in Lancashire have been shelved.
Lancashire County Council had been primed to buy the site in West Paddock, Leyland, for a new Area South base.
But landowners South Ribble Council have put the land back on the open market after County Hall pulled out.
Coun Colin Clark, South Ribble's deputy leader, said: "We are disappointed that Lancashire County Council appears to have drawn a line under its plans for new offices on West Paddock.
"However, we are in negotiations with the county council, which is now looking to secure office accommodation in the civic centre, which would bring in rental income for South Ribble Council and additional business for the local economy."
The county council needs to make savings of 22m in the next financial year to go ahead with the planned freeze in council tax.
The site, close to the former Stanifield Bleach Works, has been undeveloped for more than 20 years.
The development was originally announced as a joint project with South Ribble and Lancashire County Councils, next to Leyland Civic Centre.
The new complex would have been home to 250 South Ribble Council workers as well as up to 500 county employees. But South Ribble pulled out of the deal in April, instead agreeing to sell the land to the county council.
Many people still see the land as green space but, say the council, this is not the case.
Coun Clark added: "People must bear in mind that the land near the Civic Centre has been set aside for development in the local plan for more than 20 years. We will continue to market the site to secure investment in Leyland."
Phil Halsall, executive director for resources, said: "In the current financial climate, we have decided not to continue with the development of a new office building in Leyland.
"We are now looking into other options such as using our existing offices."
>> Councils to save cash by sharing offices
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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