By Jamie Smith

Published on Fri Feb 04 15:30:44 GMT 2011

WARWICK officials are demanding to know what the future holds for one the town’s most historic streets.

Once a bustling hive of activity, Northgate Street in the town centre now casts a forlorn figure following the closure of the law courts last year.

The grand listed building is now empty, along with many of the buildings on the opposite side of the street, most of which are owned by Warwickshire County Council.

Cllr Elizabeth Higgins (Con, Warwick West) said: “The empty courts is a scandal. The county council is leaving the whole street empty. The probation service have moved from Swan Street and the lovely old shire hall will be left empty. All the history and beauty is being left in the dark behind closed doors.

“This hasn’t come out of the blue, they have known for years that the courts were moving and to make plans for it. It’s an appalling scandal, the county have no idea what to do.”

In 2008 plans were put forward to turn the Grade II-listed Georgian town houses, previously county education offices, into flats, but these were dismissed and no new ideas have been forthcoming since.

Town clerk Derek Maudlin said: “The former education offices have been designated for housing and are largely out of use.

“Hardly anything is being used. The property nearest the church is used because they are paying rates on it, and the building at the far end is also being used.

“The last application that went in for housing was so appalling it was rejected by officers without going to committee.

“A lot of people identify the buildings as a Warwick asset, but they are a county council asset and they don’t see it as their responsibility to fund schemes here.

“The concern is that these buildings are mouldering away.”

A county council spokesman said: “We are still talking to interested parties and hope to come to a conclusion in the near future.”

James Mackay of the Warwick Society called for more transparency from the council and added: “They haven’t been forthcoming about what they are thinking about it.”

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