Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)       note and welcome the updates provided;

b)       approve an amendment to the proposed terms of sale to allow an earlier disposal to the Council’s preferred developer (Severns Developments (Middleton House) Ltd) for the Agreed Purchase Price detailed at Exempt Appendix A subject to completion of all identified necessary heritage works as detailed at Appendix B to the report; and

c)        any renegotiation of sale on the disposal be firstly agreed by the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Director – Planning & Growth.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development presented a report which provided an update on the progress of the proposed conversion of the Hall to 8 residential apartments by the Council’s preferred developer (Severns Developments (Middleton House) Ltd) and which sought an amendment to the proposed terms of sale.

Following lengthy negotiation with Council Officers, Historic England, and the local community (notably Ollerton & Boughton Town Council and Ollerton Village Resident’s Association) the developer has secured planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the conversion of the Hall to accommodate 8 apartments. The developer was ready to implement the scheme but given industry challenges regarding inflationary rises and costs has stated to the Council that it was necessary to revisit the original terms of the agreement. It was now proposed that the developer continue to operate under a lease/licence arrangement until such time as all identified necessary heritage works, as detailed at Appendix B, were completed. At that point a sale would be completed for the agreed purchase price, allowing the developer to raise funds, complete the development and then occupy the completed properties

AGREED      (with 8 votes for and 1 abstention) that Cabinet:

a)            note and welcome the updates provided;

b)            approve an amendment to the proposed terms of sale to allow an earlier disposal to the Council’s preferred developer (Severns Developments (Middleton House) Ltd) for the agreed purchase price as set out in the exempt Appendix A to the report, subject to completion of all identified necessary heritage works as detailed at Appendix B to the report; and

c)             any renegotiation of sale on the disposal be firstly agreed by the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Director – Planning & Growth.

Reasons for Decision:

To dispose of Ollerton Hall and secure the long-term future of the building.

Options Considered:

Cabinet could decide not to agree to the proposed revisions to the terms of sale and present the building back to the market for disposal. Members will be aware this building and site has a long history of failed attempts to secure a viable and acceptable re-use for the site. A return to the market would lead to delay and is unlikely, in the opinion of Officers, to find an acceptable and fundable solution given the difficult balance of reinstating heritage value and securing a deliverable scheme.