Parish council unhappy at ‘sorry’ Long Sutton site

Long Sutton Parish Council has expressed its “extreme disappointment” at the lack of progress on The Bull Hotel project and its “sorry state”.

It’s understood that Korvin Developments Ltd has insufficient funds for further work but director Jan Von Draczek has given permission for tidying of the site by others.

Last week The Voice reported on a community effort spearheaded by Long Sutton and District Civic Society, and a £5,000 crowdfunding page launched by town district councillor Laura Eldridge.
Parish council talks with a potential investor recently have come to nothing.

It said: “The parish council have now erected a fence along the [Winfrey] park boundary which is the only action they can take legally to secure the site.
“The council are also aware that the civic society are seeking ways to secure the boundary in Bull Lane. It has taken some time to reach this stage but again there was a legal process that needed to be followed and details could not be released into the public domain.”

It added: “Please be assured the parish council will continue to support any initiative to refurbish the hotel and its environs and will continue to work with local organisations, authorities and any potential investors to reclaim what is a valuable asset to our town.”

Long Sutton Parish Council’s statement in full:

The Long Sutton Parish Council are aware of the disappointment within the community in relation to

the present state of the Bull Hotel and they feel that they should clarify matters relating to the site

and the actions of the Parish Council in trying to resolve the issue.

 

In November 2004 the Parish Council were approached by Korvin Developments to sell a strip of

land in the Winfrey Park in order build properties on land at the rear of the Bull Hotel to raise funds

to refurbish it and run it as a going concern as a hotel and restaurant.

 

The Parish Council felt it was important to consider the proposal to save the Bull Hotel which is of

great historical value and has a long history of famous people who have stayed there.

At a Parish Meeting held on 18 May 2006 the Parish Council called a Parish Meeting to put the

proposed land sale to the residents of the town for their approval. At the meeting, it was resolved to

agree to sell a strip of land but to have a further valuation carried out by the District Valuer’s Office.

 

Upon the receipt of the land valuation the Parish Council called a further Parish Meeting on 31 May

2006 and the meeting voted to proceed with the land sale.

From 2006 until the present day the Parish Council have fully supported the project and have

attended meetings with SHDC Planning Department and the developer to assist as much as they

legally could.

 

They have negotiated several times to amend the legal terms of the sale in order to keep the project

alive. The Parish Council have not been able to release all of the details over the years due to the

legal process but the community should be aware that the Parish Council have always acted in the

best interest of the town.

 

It is extremely disappointing to the Council that despite their continued best efforts the project has

not come to fruition and the Bull Hotel and the land at the rear of the hotel and in such a sorry state.

The Parish Council have very recently had discussions with a potential investor but unfortunately this

also did not proceed as was hoped.

 

The Parish Council have now erected a fence along the park boundary which is the only action they

can take legally to secure the site. The council are also aware that the Civic Society are seeking ways

to secure the boundary in Bull Lane. It has taken sometime to reach this stage but again there was a

legal process that needed to be followed and details could not be released into the public domain.

 

The Parish Council recently met with SHDC and other interested parties to discuss a way forward but

unfortunately because it is private land there is little anyone can do.

The Parish Council are not legally allowed to spend public funds for the benefit of individuals and so

they are not allowed to do more.

 

The council will be seeking the costs of erecting the fence and other costs from the developer and it

is hoped that a new investor will come forward.

 

It is of great concern that local children continue to enter the site and the hotel which is extremely

dangerous. The hotel has been sealed as far as possible but the council kindly ask parents to advise

their children not to enter the site for their own safety.

 

The Council are also disappointed that the site is being used for fly-tipping and that local people

have been seen doing so which are making matters worse for their own environment.

 

Please be assured the Parish Council will continue to support any initiative to refurbish the Hotel and

its environs and will continue to work with local organisations, authorities and any potential

investors to reclaim what is a valuable asset to our town.