THE Chronicle understands building firm Redrow is in the process of buying Lloyds Banking Group’s former base in Handbridge.
Neither Lloyds or Redrow will discuss the sale of Capital House and Bridge House on the site of the former MOD Western Command Centre overlooking the Dee.
But it is understood Redrow has had pre-planning applications discussions with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department although the sale has not been completed.
It believed Redrow would like to pursue a residential scheme, not a hotel, which was the alternative proposal suggested when the site was being marketed.
Surveyors have recently been on the ground carrying out an examination of the drains. Lloyds says there is unlikely to be any official news about a deal until the end of the year.
Lloyds fully vacated the site last August after staff from Bridge House relocated to Charterhall House off Hoole Lane following in the footsteps of workers from the adjacent Capital House earlier in the summer.
Many of the changes result from Lloyds’ takeover of HBOS which has seen a reduction in the size of the workforce by cutting duplication between the two companies.
Redrow spokeswoman Linda Bright said: “I can only confirm that Redrow has not bought the site in question.
“Redrow looks at hundreds, probably thousands, of potential development sites around the UK and does not comment on speculation or rumour.”
Redrow was founded in 1974 by businessman Steve Morgan, 58, of Carden Hall, Clutton, who owns football club Wolverhampton Wanderers and still chairs the construction group.
