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ANNEX Bi Expression of Interest – The Old School, Old , Milton Keynes TO ITEM 2

Introduction

In line with regulations made under the Localism Act 2011, (Assets of Community Value Regulations 2012), Future Wolverton would like make a formal expression of interest under the Community Right to Bid for the Old School, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

The boundaries of the nominated land are illustrated in the plan below.

Crown copyright and database rights [2012] Ordanance Survey [1000119593]

The full address of the property is:

Old School Old Wolverton Road Old Wolverton Milton Keynes MK12 5NH

A statement of all the information which the nominator has with regard to the names of current occupants, the names and last known addresses of all those with an interest in the freehold or a lease of the site, and

The freehold of the Old School is held by The Radcliffe Trust, although the building has been on a long lease to the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity, Old Wolverton and the Diocese of since 1974 (a copy of this lease agreement is attached).

The building is divided into two halves – a residential part (the Old School House) and a community hall part (the Old School Hall).

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Expression of Interest – The Old School, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes

The Old School House is currently occupied by an elderly resident who has lived in the property for over 20 years. There is no formal agreement to occupy the house, but the PCC of Holy Trinity is committed to that resident remaining in the property for the rest of their life.

Contact details for all parties are listed below:

The Radcliffe Trust: 6 Trull Farm Buildings Tetbury Gloucestershire, GL8 8SQ

Agent for The Radcliffe Trust: Richard Drew FRICS FAAV Partner & RICS Registered Valuer Carter Jonas LLP Mayfield House 256 Road Summertown Oxford OX2 7DE Telephone: 01865 404410 Mobile: 07803 746204 [email protected]

Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity, Old Wolverton: Rector Gillian Barrow The Rectory 28 Harvester Close Greenleys Milton Keynes MK12 6LE Telephone: Mobile: 07939 232547 [email protected]

Rev Peter Dockree Curate [email protected]

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Expression of Interest – The Old School, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes

Mr Joseph Caudle: Old School House Old Wolverton Road Old Wolverton Milton Keynes, MK12 5NH

Please note all correspondence relating to the resident’s occupation of the property should be made via Rector Gillian Barrow.

Your grounds for thinking that we should conclude that the land is of community value

In recent years the population of Old Wolverton has grown substantially, with new housing developments at Waterways in Old Wolverton, Wolverton Mill and Stratford Park realising approximately 400 new homes.

However, despite the large amount of housing development taking place there is a lack of a community meeting place in the Old Wolverton area, and hence a lack of opportunities for people to engage in social and community activities which help make connections and build a sense of community.

Until 8 years ago the Old School Hall was in regular use by Holy Trinity Church and the community of Old Wolverton, and provided a much needed local venue for meetings and social activities.

In approximately 2004/5 the decision was made to shut the building to community use. Since that time, there has been no formal community meeting place in Old Wolverton.

Future Wolverton Limited believes that the Old School House might provide the solution to the need for a community meeting place in this part of Wolverton. Over the last 6 months we have been working alongside Church and community representatives and the owners of the building, The Radcliffe Trust, to consider all the options for re‐use and refurbishment of this important listed building.

In recognition of the lack of community meeting space in Old Wolverton, has already allocated £14,000 section 106 funding for the provision of community facilities in Old Wolverton. Future Wolverton are keen to look at other funding opportunities – possibly linked to the heritage value of the building ‐ which would support refurbishment and re‐use.

With the support of Holy Trinity PCC, Future Wolverton have come up with some ideas of how the building might be re‐modelled to enable the widest possible community use. This re‐modelling work would address issues such as disabled access, storage, provision of toilets and outside space.

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Expression of Interest – The Old School, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes

We have been in discussion with Locality about the project, and subject to the 8 week Local Authority consultation process, hope to be in a position to submit an application for a feasibility grant to support the process.

About Future Wolverton:

Future Wolverton Limited is an Industrial and Provident Society registered in March 2013. The organisation has been in existence as an unincorporated body since 2002/3, operating as Wolverton Steering Group. Wolverton Steering Group was a neighbourhood forum made up of representative organisations from across the Wolverton area.

The objects of the society are to carry on any business which will help to establish Wolverton (and its environs) as a thriving and sustainable within the city of Milton Keynes; a town with an active and involved community which celebrates its past and seeks to protect and enhance the unique heritage whilst developing new business, housing and community facilities to ensure future prosperity.

Future Wolverton Limited: Town Hall Creed Street Wolverton Milton Keynes MK12 5LY

Marie Osborne Director [email protected] 07967 059423

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