Plan to sell off former South Norfolk council HQ put on hold
The local community is bidding to take over the building in Long Stratton
The controversial sell-off of a former council headquarters has been put on hold, while a community group attempts to secure the building.
South Norfolk Council (SNC) had been expected to discuss selling off the Conservative-controlled authority’s former Long Stratton offices on Monday, but the item has now been pulled from the agenda.
The withdrawal comes after the authority received an application to make the building an asset of community value (ACV), which would give locals more say in any sell-off.
SNC has eight weeks to consider the application and decide if it should get ACV status, if granted the community can have up to six months to raise the funds to bid for it.
A spokesperson for SNC refused to say who has submitted the application.
The decision to sell off the building has been controversial, with some members of the community, including much of the town council, believing it should be kept for public use.
Others, including John Fuller, the leader of SNC, have mooted knocking the site down and replacing it with housing.
Last summer, despite some councillors objecting, it was agreed that SNC staff would move out of the Swan Lane headquarters and into the Horizon Centre at Broadland Business Park.
The upcoming meeting would have been the second time the authority has discussed the sale of the Swan Lane office – called South Norfolk House – after councillors voted to defer the sell-off for 90 days in April.
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 so close to an election.
Although secrecy surrounding the sale means that none of the bidders have been made public one has been revealed to be working with Long Stratton Parish Council.