Manor buy-out agreed

A derelict manor house in the centre of Bingham will be bought by Rushcliffe Borough Council to save it from further decay, it has been agreed.

Councillors decided to go ahead with the compulsary purchase order.

The manor house and neighbouring cottage, in Market Place, have been empty for eight years.

The building, at the entrance to Robert Miles Junior School, has been the target of vandals and has been broken into several times.

Despite repeated pressure from the council, the owner, Trent Properties Ltd, failed to carry out maintenance work, the meeting was told.

The head of Robert Miles Junior School, Mr Rob Gilbey, said: “It is a good decision. I look forward to the time when the building can be restored with the dignity it once had.”

Mrs Maureen Stockwood, a town and borough councillor and the vice-chairman of Nottinghamshire Building Preservation Trust, was thrilled with the unanimous decision.

She said: “It shows that they all care about this magnificent building.

“Even though it looks a bit of an eyesore now because it is boarded up, it could be the most impressive building on the square.”

Mrs Stockwood would like to see the building returned to its former glory.

“It is a beautiful Georgian building and I would like to see that preserved,” she said.

“It was nice when it was an antiques shop in the 1980s and the owner lived above.”

Mrs Stockwood said although the council had voted for the first time in favour of a compulsory purchase order, there was still a long way to go.

She said the owners had the right to appeal.

It was estimated in August last year that the purchase would cost the council around £450,000, although that figure is now likely to be lower.

A survey of the property last year revealed it would cost an estimated £100,000 to repair.

The council plans to sell the buildings immediately and it revealed there had already been four expressions of interest, including two from local people concerned about the state of the buildings.

If the order is confirmed by the Secretary of State, the council must prepare a statement listing the reasons behind making the order.

A copy will be sent to the owner, who has 21 days to object.

Councillors agreed the order would not be executed until a definite buyer was in place to avoid them incurring costs.