Published on Tue Jul 05 15:22:57 BST 2011
A TOTAL of £130,000 is due to be spent by Northampton Borough Council repairing two thatched ‘council houses’ which date back to the 17th century.
Plans have been revealed by the authority to repair the two cottages at Abington Park.
The work, which is designed to make sure the two properties remain in ‘reasonable condition for the foreseeable future’, will include the repair of the buildings’ thatched roofs, the installation of new wooden doors and windows and the installation of ‘improved facilities’ inside the two properties.
The council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Tim Hadland (Con, Old Duston), said the houses – only one of which is rented out at the moment – would be saved from further deterioration by the work.
He said: “The cottages are located in the heart of Abington Park, one of the jewels in Northampton’s crown.
“They are listed buildings that we as an authority have an obligation to maintain in an appropriate condition.
“This refurbishment is needed now to prevent further deterioration and decay which, if left, would inevitably lead to much higher costs.”
But opposition leaders at the Guildhall have questioned whether the historic council houses should be refurbished ahead of other council houses in the town, which they claim are in even greater need of repair.
The leader of the Labour opposition group on the council, Councillor Lee Mason (Lab, Brookside) said: “While I support the concept of council housing and any money spent is a good thing, I do question whether this amount of money could have been used more wisely on more pressing needs, like dealing with damp in children’s bedrooms rather than fixing a thatched roof.”
The two grade II-listed thatched cottages date back to the 17th century.
They were used as the rectory for the main abbey building in the park until 1846.
The council’s plans to restore the two cottages were approved by the authority’s cabinet back in February this year.
They have now been passed to officials in the council’s planning department who are due to make a final decision on whether the work can go ahead in the next few months.
Comments
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Sell them as listed buildings. Spend proceeds on modern council housing. Alternatively…renovate as 16th century houses and use as part museum for educational purposes ?
It might sound like a lot but it is still far less than the average amount spent by the County Council on asylum seekers evrry month, and this is to preserve our heritage, not destroy it