FOR SALE: Historical Bidston Observatory – and it could become a hotel

Posted on by Listify Me

FOR SALE: Historical Bidston Observatory – and it could become a hotel

2:32pm Tuesday 15th February 2011

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    HISTORICAL landmark Bidston Observatory is up for sale.

    And the site is being touted as a prime target for hotel, leisure and residential development.

    Back in 2003, a plan to save the observatory complex and turn it into a museum and visitors’ centre was drawn up in a bid to rescue the historical building when the National Environment Research
    Council which occupied the site – announced it was moving to Liverpool.

    Local people mounted a campaign to protect the future of the landmark, which they feared was at risk of being damaged by development.

    The Bidston Observatory Preservation Trust had tried to save the building and turn it into a historical museum for the people of Wirral.

    But their efforts to prevent planning permission being granted to convert the complex into flats failed when the council rejected their scheme as “over-optimistic and unrealistic”.

    However, the flats plan came to nothing and the observatory has been unoccupied since.

    Now agents Mason Owen have been instructed to “market” the treasured landmark.

    The agency says the complex is “suitable for hotel, leisure or residential use.”

    Andrew Owen, head of the company’s business space, said: “This is a unique opportunity to buy a piece of local history.

    “These plots are available individually and each one offers a prime development opportunity for residential, leisure and hotel.

    “We are confident that this complex will attract a lot of attention from interested parties. All offers will be seriously considered.”

    The complex contains three plots extending to approximately 45,000sq ft.

    Each plot is for sale separately, and includes the Grade II listed Victorian observatory and surrounding land, the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory and the site of the former Braehead Cottages.

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