Council agrees sale of Thameside House

The re-development will also provide up to 60 new homes in the heart of Staines-upon-Thames. 

The decision, made at a Council meeting last night, will prevent the authority from incurring future substantial annual costs. The sale will generate enough income to pay off 94% of the outstanding debt on the building.

Importantly for local residents, the sale is subject to Permitted Development rights only - meaning that the height of the building, as agreed in writing, will not increase by more than 50cm and its footprint will remain the same. This ensures the existing structure will be repurposed rather than demolished, avoiding the risk of large-scale overdevelopment while offering a more environmentally sustainable approach with a lower carbon footprint. The building described as an “eyesore,” will now be given a new lease of life.

In a further positive step, the Council also agreed to sell an under-used site in Sunbury, securing an £8 million profit, several times more than needed to fully cover the remaining debt on Thameside House and to help accelerate the process of paying down the Council’s debt.

A Council spokesperson said:

“This is the first step toward getting our finances onto a firmer footing and delivering on the Government’s direction to reduce our debt levels. These are complex financial decisions, but we have listened to residents’ concerns, particularly around the future of Staines and we believe this is the right solution that balances financial responsibility with community interests.”

Both decisions form part of a broader strategy to stabilise Council finances, reduce debt and respond to local priorities.

You can watch last nights Full Council meeting on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/h_PJ753Kato