FIVE-STOREY BLOCK DEEMED SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS

A PROMINENT Plymouth city centre office block has been sold by the council for an undisclosed sum after being deemed surplus to requirements.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

The five-storey Midland House, on the corner of Notte Street and Princess Street Ope has become the latest property offloaded by the council as it seeks to save money and raise cash.

The building has 2,656sq m of floor space and housed Plymouth City Council’s children’s services and social support department before workers were moved out. It was put on sale in June last year and 12 months later given planning permission to be turned into 34 flats.

That application was made by a real estate company called Midland House (Plymouth) Ltd, incorporated in February this year and controlled by Christopher Pattison, a former deputy leader of Plymouth City Council, who served as a Labour councillor between 2000 and 2009.

Mr Pattison is also a director of Midland House (Plymouth) 2025 Ltd, also incorporated in February, which is part controlled by shareholder Uk Esg Investments Ltd, based in the Seychelles tax haven.

Midland House (Plymouth 2025) Ltd took out two loans in June and another in August, all secured on the Midland House property. The June loans were from London-based Kaisan Capital Ltd. In August Midland House (Plymouth) 2025 Ltd took out a mortgage from London-based lender Adsum Ltd. The deal was signed by Mr Pattison and witnessed by Plymouth businessman John Steven.