Controversial sale of South Norfolk Council HQ delayed until after local elections
A bid to sell off the offices in Long Stratton has been delayed for at least 90 days
The controversial sale of council headquarters has been delayed until after the local elections.
An extraordinary South Norfolk Council (SNC) meeting had been expected to decide who to sell the Conservative-controlled authority’s Long Stratton offices to.
But in a surprise move, SNC members voted to put the decision back 90 days.
It is understood the delay was triggered by several factors, including whether Long Stratton Town Council and community could work with or develop a bid themselves and whether making a decision was appropriate this close to an election.
Current bid details have not been made public.
Last summer, councillors agreed to move out of the Swan Lane headquarters and into the Horizon Centre at Broadland Business Park.
The Long Stratton offices were put on the market seeking offers of more than £2m.
Becky Buck, the town council clerk, told Thursday’s meeting that the community did not want extra housing on the site, particularly after 1,875 homes were recently approved for the edge of Long Stratton.
Instead, feedback was that the site should be turned into a supermarket or something to support the community.
She said: “By accepting a bid of housing without suitable infrastructure in place, it will compromise future generations, overpopulating a town whose economy is compromised by the loss of SNC and local businesses struggling with the rising costs of living.”
Ms Buck agreed with independent councillor Clayton Hudson that the space could be used as a community hub, incorporating services like the library.
Long Stratton district councillor Alison Thomas said the town council had been approached about taking on the site last year but did not have the money to pay for it.
However, the approval of the 1,875 homes will come with funding for the community, which could be used for the site.