Proposals to redevelop Vine House in Seaforth were approved at today’s Sefton Council cabinet meeting.

Robust proposals

A developer has come forward with robust proposals to refurbish Vine House, bringing 58 apartments back into use for private rent. Cabinet members today approved the disposal of the building as per the agreed terms.

This reverses the decision made by the Council in February, to approve a budget estimate for the demolition of the empty tower block after an unsuccessful attempt to sell it.

Vine House’s disposal will be structured so that ownership of the building will only transfer once the refurbishment works have been completed. This will ensure the Council can be satisfied that the refurbishment has been carried out to the expected standards and timescales.

Affordable family homes

When the cabinet meeting papers were published last week, Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for housing said:  “Sefton Council is committed to tackling the shortage of new homes and tackling homelessness in the Borough and supporting the Government’s national housing policy, which focuses on the delivery of more, affordable family homes.

“These proposals for the refurbishment of Vine House will see a vacant tower block brought back into residential use providing 58 new apartments for Sefton residents.

“The work will also provide wider improvements to the area and deliver benefits to the local community in Seaforth.”

You can find the agenda and papers for today’s Cabinet meeting here.