Derby City Council says it cannot yet disclose the agreed sale price of Allestree Hall despite recently announcing the venue had been sold. Last month the council told residents that the Grade II-listed building had been acquired by Derby property developer Staton Young with plans to transform it into a wedding venue.
A leading Labour councillor said the sale of the building, which has stood empty for years, would generate “much-needed income” for the authority at a time when its financial struggles have been highlighted amid “difficult” budget proposals.
Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, cabinet member for governance and finance, said: “After years of searching for the right buyer, we’re thrilled to have found a Derby-based preferred bidder with experience of revitalising historic properties. Allestree Hall, a building rich in history and potential, is poised for a new chapter.
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“Disposing of the long-lease interest generates much-needed income for the council and an opportunity for the new owner to breathe new life into the building. With careful restoration, this stunning country house can reclaim its former glory.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked the council’s communications team directly for the agreed sale price but was told the figure could not yet be given.
A spokesperson for the council said the council and Staton Young were still in process for the grant of the long lease. They said: “There are still certain negotiations under way and we’re not in a position to share financial details until these are concluded – at which point the price will be in the public domain.”
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The spokesperson added that a planning application had to be submitted before a 250-year lease could be given to the developer from the council. When the scheme of works are fully complete the council could then extend the lease to 999 years. However, there is no indication of a timeframe for this.
The LDRS has also submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the council asking for details of the sale price and how funds from the sale will be used by the council. The authority has 20 working days deadline to answer the request according to FOI legislation.
Marc Brough, managing director at Staton Young, said: “Allestree Hall presents us with a great opportunity to restore a piece of Derby’s history. We’ve got some exciting plans and can’t wait to bring this beautiful building back to life and create a stunning wedding venue.”
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