South Norfolk Council agrees to sell former HQ... to itself
The local authority is to sell its former offices at Long Stratton to its own housing company
Last updated 13th Nov 2023
A Norfolk council has agreed to sell its former headquarters to its own housing company after a last-ditch attempt to hand it to the community was defeated by just one vote.
A meeting of South Norfolk Council (SNC) – which was held entirely behind closed doors – ended with a decision to hand over its Long Stratton offices to Big Sky, a housing developer wholly owned by the authority, for an undisclosed fee.
But it is understood that the meeting saw a significant number of members push for an alternative bid to be picked instead.
An amendment would have seen the building – called South Norfolk House (SNH) – sold to a community bidder backed by Long Stratton Parish Council.
The amendment, put forward by Labour’s Stratton councillor Georgina Race, was initially tied in a 21-21 split vote.
The impasse was broken by council chairman, James Easter, who voted against the plan, which would have seen the building turned into a community and creative arts centre.
The Conservative-controlled authority then approved selling SNH to Big Sky.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Race said the community bid would have done a lot for Long Stratton and the surrounding area and would have stopped the building from being demolished, as will happen under Big Sky’s bid.
“SNH is only 50 years old, it’s a lovely building,” she said.
“We already have 1,800 homes being built in Long Stratton which will double the town in size. We should give the bidder the chance to do something for the community.
“I’m quite gutted it didn’t go through.”
Clayton Hudson, an independent councillor, called the outcome “regrettable” and a “hammer blow” for the community.
John Fuller, the leader of SNC who was not in the meeting, said the Big Sky bid was the best value for money.
“We have a limited number of options that we could do legally and law is clear that the best bid needs to proceed,” he said.
“The assessment was done by independent professionals.”
A working group will be established to help look into providing a community facility for Long Stratton.