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The Sun, Moon and Stars Development Project First posted Sept 2009 - updated 21 April 2010. Summary: The village-oriented development project has been abandonned On September 4th a few 'options appraisal' reports, prepared by the BHBT, were distributed at the Heritage Day "Blisworth Past and Present" in the Village Hall. It should be remembered that detail on the planning of the project had not been forthcoming for many months yet at that time, 5 weeks before the SNC were expected to announce a decision on how to proceed, a version of the report is made available. It was edited in the sense that the detail was sparse (perhaps for the sake of its readability) and the details of the financial model constructed by TTP was couched in a section that was not publicly available. It was stated there were three options (1). to sell the building on the open-market with a book loss of £200000 generated by the collapse in building valuation since the time of the CPO and wasted project work (2). to lease the building to a management firm whilst retaining asset ownership with SNC and (3). to leave the building with a beefed-up BHBT to be managed until finances develop to the point when the building could be sold without incurring a book loss. The sudden release of the document left many wondering why on earth was there so much secrecy before then and why the document was released as a single document to the Parish Council (PC) with only one of their meetings scheduled before the SNC decision time. It was stated that the details had been discussed at times as far back as two years ago but that was in terms of bland phrases such as "a space suitable for a bistro-type business"; no schematics, no numbers and no plans at all. So, now in September there was, at least, a plan (that is reproduced in the diagram below) and an appended financial model for some to read. Let's not forget, in terms of a filled-out architectural solution, there has been no public/village airing of this project.
First reactions First reactions to this plan include the feeling that the cafe/bistro space at 7m by 5m is small (there seems to be room only for about 25 seats at tables) yet the expected rental value is set in the financial summing up at £1000 pcm - which seems very optimistic, as that's an annual average, but maybe the guts of the financial model is not fragile! The resource room and the meeting room may make sense especially knowing that a spacious cellar will be available for storage and even some office space. Subsequent Events The reaction to the plan was one of mild enthusiasm yet absolutely nothing sprung from it. The Towcester Partnership, that was master-minding the financial plan, in the meantime fragmented and then disbanded. Villagers were left with no point of contact until in March 2010 it was hinted that the community project would fail and maybe the building would be disposed of on the open market. A SNC cabinet meeting held on 12th April 2010 evidently confirmed the decision to dispose of the building but, at this point (21 April), a firm confirmation of that is not available. In any event the building remains as a Grade II listed structure and will be treated appropriately. All the work by Mrs. D. Burgoyne and her group over the past three years has been quite literally wasted, that's all their work and over £10000 of funding for the charity group BHBT (Blisworth Historic Buildings Trust). Their detailed plans prepared by consultant architects are unlikely to be of use to a new owner. What was thought to be the 'Final Stages' Obviously the village now look forward to hearing of an appropriate development plan which is quickly put into action - we certainly do not wish to see this building remain derelict for another spell. Unfortunately the offer for purchase by SNC was not received well and the resolution of a satisfactory purchase price was attempted at a Land Tribunal in August 2010. However, the chairman merely gave guidelines and instructed Mrs. Tew and the SNC to reach agreement on that basis. This was done, though the sale price has not been disclosed. By January 2011 the council had placed the property in the hands of an estate agent who declared the guideline sale price to be in the region of £350000 (high enough to draw a veil over maybe only a 5 figure book-loss) and in late May 2011 it was proclaimed to be "under offer". The name of the new owner and his/her immediate plan will be bulletined here as soon as they are known - however, in November 2011 the saga showed a sign of continuing when we discovered the offer had been withdrawn, thus raising again toward year end the spectre of that book-loss. It has been suggested around Feb 2012 (by the Blisworth Heritage Society) that some of the difficult planning conditions imposed by the SNC on any prospective buyer might be relaxed, to ease the sale. In this regard, they have suggested de-listing the property to ease a number of planning conditions. Unfortunately, these matters were part and parcel of the terms of the compulsory purchase and for the SNC to now alter them would potentially place them in a position analogous to "breach of contract". The Final Stages A new prospective buyer appeared early in 2012. Rather than loose him because of the usual difficulties the SNC decided to review their approach to a deal after a consultative phase again with the PC. On May 28, 2012, the PC met, in an open meeting, to review their opinions about the building. Options for the SNC were perceived as the following; (i) continue as at present, (ii) drop the sale price (iii) relax conditions, incl. the listing (iv) donate to the village (v) enter a joint venture with a builder and have 'social homes' and (vi) resurrect the BHBT and go for new funding for a community element plus housing. The meeting was of the usual format with these options being discussed, sometimes with only two people voicing an opinion, never with any vote taken. Option six was rejected owing to there being plenty of community space and the village was 'tired' of this subject. Option five did not attract much discussion though one voiced the opinion that social housing at that particular location was not a good idea. (Note that the PC had previously 'encouraged' 33 new social houses and only 11 would be provided by the future Chapel Hill Farm development). Time was pressing so option one was not favoured. Finally option four was rejected for the same reason as option six, expressed as "the village doesn't want a financial millstone". This left just the feeling that a lower price and a relaxation of conditions would surely bring in a buyer. Conditions were suggested to ensure a future owner does promptly get on with it and render a tidy and useful asset. The entire discussion took only 60 minutes, a letter in response to the SNC would be quickly drafted. July 2012 It was announced that the building was sold in July (to a builder living in Tiffield?) subject to contract. After a few more months it was realised that negotiations were continuing and by December one wondered, with trepidation, whether the deal may fall through. Managers at the SNC maintained a strict secrecy. August 2013 Around the time of our canal festival some noticed that the "Sold subject to Contract" sticker had come off SNCs sign on the front of the building. It has since been announced that (a) there is an easement of the planning restrictions on prospective developers and (b). the Council are indeed again inviting bids for purchase. In short, there has been no progress whilst the building continues to slowly become more and more distressed - the SNCs first mooting of a CPO for the building was in 2004 by the way. November 2014 Finally sold to a developer with the aim of creating ~5 flats. At last! December 2015 The abovementioned deal feel through. On Dec 7th 2015 a Mr. Nicholas Fuller outlined a project having details that apparently satisfy all directly concerned. It will, we are told shortly appear in the applications list for planning permission. The development is densely packed into the available space. A total of six flats, some of which will use the underground basement (cellar) and one of which will be accommodated in a new extension (replacing the 'kitchen' destroyed by a colliding lorry), are squeezed in and 8 car-parking spaces are given in the grounds. In the western corner of the grounds is placed a four bedroom detached house, given a sympathetic treatment in terms of style, and between it and the main building there is provided an access drive area for the already existing house built some months ago. At the presentation to the village the issue of too limited car-parking was justified as consistent with SNC recommendations and cannot be eased without the project becoming financially non-viable. Thus the financial conditions inherited from earlier arrangements have a knock-on into the present. I look forward to this project succeeding but doubt that the mistakes relating to cost and EH conditions could be more pointedly shown up. Tony Marsh The historical events since 2006 that have led up to this situation are summarised on this website.
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