Northamptonshire Council accused of selling heritage assets "down the river" as leasing for County Hall to go ahead

Plans to lease out historic buildings in the centre of Northampton which are a “cherished heritage asset” have been approved by the council’s cabinet. Labour Councillor Emma Roberts has accused them of passing off valuable buildings “to the highest bidders” after years of mismanaging the council’s estate.

West Northamptonshire Council has agreed upon a strategy to sell parts of the County Hall and other heritage properties due to a surplus of office space no longer being used by the council. Ideas for a range of uses for the five main listed buildings have been put forward by the council, insisting that the “historical significance of the properties can be preserved”.

According to plans, the 17th Century Judges’ Lodgings could be tested out as a hotel extension, or failing that marketed as a private residence. The Centre Block would most also likely be converted into flats, along with the Former Constabulary Block on Angel Street.

Reports say Sessions House and the Front Block would lend themselves better to lease from food and drink operations, as well as a more intensive heritage use of Sessions House for guided tours of the courts and cells.

The Grade I listed Sessions House, on George Row, was a courthouse until 1987.

However, a note read on behalf of Cllr Emma Roberts at the cabinet meeting showed her distaste for the project.

She said: “The disposal of county hall is the latest in a long line of proposed public sell-offs. We are passing off publicly owned heritage assets to the highest bidders on long leaseholds.

“Northampton’s heritage is being sold down the river by years of Tory mismanagement of the council estate. Why does this grade two listed property need so much work now? Because for years none of you have bothered to take care of it.”

Reviews by the council found that a significant level of investment would be needed to bring County Hall up to a modern standard for work requirements. Documents spoke of the importance of securing the buildings’ long-term futures, but also retaining “a degree of control” centrally through leaseholds.

A report to the cabinet wrote: “The Council recognises that there is always a balance between preserving the past and embracing the future, as well as the costs of maintaining historic assets and the best use of resources. But there is additional potential created by allowing appropriate private investment and development.”

The old Judges’ Lodgings could be leased out as a hotel annexe, or private accommodation.

The maintenance backlog for the buildings is an estimated £4-5 million and some areas are currently unsafe for public access. According to the council, significant works are needed on roofs to prevent water ingress, as well as on the heating system, windows, and doors.

Cllr Jonathan Nunn, leader of WNC, said: “Some of the most beautiful buildings in the centre of Northampton for ages have just decayed. We’ve sunk taxpayer money into them just to keep afloat buildings.

“There’s been absolutely no benefit, there’s been precious little use of them and they just continue to decay.

“If we get this right we will achieve those value-for-money obligations to the taxpayer, but we’ll also bring those beautiful historic buildings back into the life of the town.”

By leasing the buildings, the council could benefit from lower maintenance obligations and might also generate income creating savings in the annual £664,000 cost of running the county hall.

The cabinet approved the plans and will now move into the procurement stage. Suitable developments will be awarded initial contracts of three years, with an option to extend to five if the council sees fit.

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