Town Council abandons plan to take over whole Sandye Place site in favour of green space focus

Having been given more time to consider a business case, it decided the likely future costs associated with maintaining the listed building and school buildings would be too prohibitive.

Instead, it is seeking a formal arrangement with Central Bedfordshire Council to adopt the green space on the site and provide various community uses.

Sandye Place Academy closed in the summer of 2019, according to a report to CBC’s executive. “CBC has made the area secure at a cost of around £100,000”, the report added.

“The site was let by CBC to the academy trust for education use until that lease was surrendered and possession returned to the council. Part of the green space has been provided to St Swithun’s Primary School for playing fields.

“Only occasional community events, such as Sandy Carnival and Coronation celebrations, have taken place since the site closed. Although not open for general use, this land contains historical features within the green space.

“It’s a much-cherished site for the local community. CBC is keen for this location to provide much-needed facilities for residents, which will add community value and release the council from the costs of securing the area.

“Current financial challenges mean any proposals for this site need to be delivered without further public expenditure.”

It was agreed in December that a new care home would be built to replace Allison House, while allowing the town council more time to present a business case for a community asset transfer of the site, explained the report.

“The town council no longer seeks to acquire the listed building or former school buildings, recognising the financial and operational risks associated with those assets.

“Its proposal now focuses on using and opening the green space for community access, recreation, events, biodiversity improvements and better pedestrian and cycle connectivity.

“This would be funded by town council precept and modest operational income, as well as Section 106 (planning) and grant funding. CBC’s executive is asked to support this, but subject to a disposal of the whole site.

“The community asset transfer will be presented via the planning process and secured by legal agreement. This enables any planning application for the brownfield part of the site to be linked to the green space, while ensuring the disposal is viable to remove an ongoing cost challenge.

“Such use of the green space as defined in its business plan is offered to Sandy Town Council to open to the community on a ‘meanwhile’ basis, subject to keeping it safe and secure.

“Marketing documents for Sandye Place will include a memorandum of understanding between CBC and the town council so that prospective purchasers understand the vision for the site’s future.

“The intention is that the green space is open to the public as far as is possible, until the community asset transfer can take place. CBC will consider separate disposal or redevelopment of the remaining brownfield land.”

The town council’s business plan identifies £420,000 of quantified social value over the first five years, added the report. “During a 30-year present-value appraisal period, the combined quantified social value is estimated around £1.66m.

“A prospective purchaser wouldn’t need to supply the open space, or provide a commuted sum for its upkeep. There are significant protections in place for the site, which is in a conservation area and contains listed heritage assets.

“Any listed assets, such as the Mansion House, would need to be safeguarded as heritage assets in the local community. More detailed marketing advice would follow, setting out timescales, project milestones and disposal strategy.”

CBC’s executive is recommended tomorrow night (Tuesday, August 4) to approve the ‘meanwhile’ use of the green space by the town council, and agree the community asset transfer of this area to STC, subject to disposal of the whole site.