The latest information is that a report will go the Executive and Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on 13 November recommending that a bid to convert to office use with signage be accepted by the council.
At the Councillors’ Forum on 30 October, Cllr Dean (Kelsey and Eden Park Ward) stressed his total opposition to any development and any change of use of this plot of land or building. He will be speaking at the committee meeting and recommending that the building be demolished and restored to parkland. He emphasised that this proposal is removing land from a protected status, is opposed by local residents and, to loud applause, that it is a potential precedent for every other park or area of Green Belt throughout the Borough.
He said he will make clear that in the event a sale goes through he will do everything possible to ensure planning permission or change of use for any development is not granted.
Because this issue involves commercial information, it would normally be considered in a part of the committee agenda that the public cannot attend. However, Cllr Arthur, the portfolio holder who will take the ultimate decision has previously asked for community input to the decision, including what uses we might find acceptable. We cannot make any meaningful contribution if we cannot see what options are on the table. WBRA have therefore asked the chair of the committee, Cllr Bosshard, to allow discussion of the alternatives in public and to be able to speak to the committee.