The Council has agreed with the current owner that before it exercises its right, they will have until the end of the year to submit a planning application and then repair and refurbish the important heritage assets, the Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel within 30 months. Should the owner not comply with these terms then the land will automatically transfer to the Council and subject to planning approval, it would be able to facilitate the restoration of the site.

Councillor John Cooke, Portfolio Holder for Place and Economy said:

“It’s great news that we now have a way of ensuring that these Grade II* listed heritage assets are saved. Whether this is done by the current owner or through the work of the District Council is not important, as what matters here is that we can now be assured that these historic buildings have a future.”