Major blow for democracy as Old Prison fast track sale goes ahead
The fate of the Old Prison site at Northleach hangs in the balance after decisions made at a highly charged meeting of Cotswold District Council recently.
The internationally important site started life as a model prison opened in 1792. It’s since been home to the area’s magistrate’s courtroom,the unique Lloyd Baker collection of rural artefacts,the Cotswold Conservation Board’s base and a popular locally-owned café. Unknown to many,in addition to the 700 items in the Lloyd Baker collection there are many more Cotswold specific artefacts associated with the rural collection,whose location and fate is now of great concern.
Campaigners expressed horror when they heard that CDC intended to sell off the site without any consultation last summer and launched a mass petition asking the Council to give more time to give the community a fair chance to ensure the site stayed intact.
The petition attracted over 1200 signatures and was presented to CDC’s Council meeting. The request was simple –give the community time up to the end of Dec 2012. It was in the power of the Conservatives to propose at least some time,but they showed no sign of listening to the strong case being put. All Conservative councilors voted to sell the site immediately. Liberal Democrat and Independent councilors voted to delay the sale.
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson,Leader of the Liberal Democrats at CDC,spoke in favour of the petition,“I understand how people feel and I told the Council meeting that we must listen and act on what people want. The Council risks being disconnected from what local people feel. The site could enhance the economic viability of the local area and become something appealing and attractive.”
“There’s nothing wrong with getting much needed cash into the Council at a time of cuts –but it should be balanced with ensuring that the historic and social value is maintained.”
It’s now hoped that the Council will consider the bids on the table for the site very carefully so that the historic value can be maintained and help sustain the fabric of the local economy.
Cllr Hodgkinson added,“I am saddened by what I have seen at the Council but will continue to push for some sanity.”
