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Town hall on the market?
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| FOR SALE? The Old Town Hall |
WEYMOUTH'S Old Town Hall could be sold because the council has no current budget to tackle repairs.
The High West Street structure's roof and walls are suffering water problems and work to prevent damage is 'becoming increasingly urgent'.
Much of the historic listed building dates back to the 17th century and some parts might be earlier - but councillors will be told that repairs could cost £140,000.
Next Tuesday's Weymouth and Portland management committee must decide whether to offer the freehold rather than a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rental, a choice officers say is 'a key decision' because the sale would remove 'a significant financial burden from the council'.
Members are being recommended to agree remarketing the property by private treaty as a building with potential for conversion to a range of commercial uses subject to planning permission with freehold subject to a clawback on future residential development.
They could also offer a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent permitting community or commercial use only with the best offer accepted or officers could report back all offers received if one or more community users submitted an offer.
A report to the meeting says that if there is no interest after four months officers would report back with a remarketing plan for the building and seek a budget to carry out remedial works in the 2009-2010 budget.
Other options officers are not recommending include retaining it as an operational asset but the council has no current need for reuse of the building, refurbishing and selling it but this would involve management and funding costs with resources not readily available and finally to permit residential conversion but the council's conservation officer said the listed building is unsuitable for this.
Officers say that the private treaty sale method including freehold is likely to create significant sale interest 'albeit only generating a modest capital receipt'.
They add that any tenant is not just required to keep the property in repair but to carry out works stipulated by the council within six months.
11:55am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: maximus, Weymouth on 1:40pm Wed 26 Mar 08
They seem to have money to throw away on 'tarting' up the sea front, some £750K?
They seem to have money to throw away on 'tarting' up the sea front, some £750K?
Posted by: Old Synic, Wyke on 2:00pm Wed 26 Mar 08
If ongoing repairs had been done years ago (like we all do to our homes) the cost of repairs today would be much less. Yet again our council thinks only for today and not for the future.
If ongoing repairs had been done years ago (like we all do to our homes) the cost of repairs today would be much less. Yet again our council thinks only for today and not for the future.
Posted by: bluecat, Weymouth on 3:54pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Hear hear, old cynic.
Would any private owner have been permitted to install plastic rain down pipes on such a building?
Hear hear, old cynic.
Would any private owner have been permitted to install plastic rain down pipes on such a building?
Posted by: James, Weymouth on 5:45pm Wed 26 Mar 08
If anyone of us allowed a listed property to get into this state they would be after us, but dear old Weymouth & Portland can let it go as they wish then say they do not have the money
If anyone of us allowed a listed property to get into this state they would be after us, but dear old Weymouth & Portland can let it go as they wish then say they do not have the money
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 7:00pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Is this a "Not in my backyard" problem?
The building is not a stone's throw from the concrete monstrosity the council live in, but have neglected its upkeep since they stopped using it.
Should have been sold the day they moved out OR kept in good repair as an investment. They have done neither, resulting in the current embarrassing situation.
Makes you wonder if they can be trusted to run a bath, let alone other projects we read about!
Is this a "Not in my backyard" problem?
The building is not a stone's throw from the concrete monstrosity the council live in, but have neglected its upkeep since they stopped using it.
Should have been sold the day they moved out OR kept in good repair as an investment. They have done neither, resulting in the current embarrassing situation.
Makes you wonder if they can be trusted to run a bath, let alone other projects we read about!
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