Issue - meetings

Report No: CAB/WS/20/027

Portfolio Holder: Cllr Susan Glossop          Lead Officer: Julie Baird

RESOLVED:

That:-

1.           The undertaking of the Urgent Works process be authorised.

2.           The acceptance of the mitigation measures, as set out in the exempt Appendix to this report, be agreed.

(Report No: CAB/WS/20/027)

The Cabinet considered this report which explained that Queensbury Lodge, Queensbury Cottage and Stables were each individually Grade II Listed Buildings and were situated on a prominent site at the entrance to Newmarket’s town centre.  The Yard was considered to be the second oldest racehorse-training establishment in the town after Palace House Stables.

The buildings were all included in the Suffolk Historic Buildings at Risk Register due to neglect or prolonged lack of maintenance.  They were on one of the main approaches to the town centre within the Newmarket Conservation Area and created a poor impression of the town and its attitude towards its horse racing and build heritage.  The condition of the three listed buildings had worsened and a survey in April 2019 identified part of the Lodge which was in danger of collapse.

Section 54 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Aras) Act 1990 allowed the Council to serve an Urgent Works Notice on the owner giving notice of the Council’s intention to undertake works required to keep the buildings weather-tight, secure and safe from collapse.  The owner was also given the opportunity to undertake the works themselves.  Historic England’s Advisers were aware of the site through previous planning discussions and were in agreement that the buildings were in urgent need of protection and supported the Council’s proposed approach.

If the urgent works were not secured, the listed buildings would have to endure at least two more winters with subsequent further deterioration and Officers were concerned that the Lodge, in particular, was in imminent danger of collapse.

It was, therefore, considered that the condition of the buildings needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency using the Council’s powers under Section 54.  To progress this, an urgent decision was needed on whether the Council should use its powers to serve an Urgent Works Notice and also to accept the cost of taking direct action, together with the mitigation measures, which were set out in the exempt Appendix to this report.

RESOLVED:

That:-

1.           The undertaking of the Urgent Works process be authorised.

2.           The acceptance of the mitigation measures, as set out in the exempt Appendix to Report No: CAB/WS/20/027, be agreed.