Police chiefs attacked over handling of building sale (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Police chiefs attacked over handling of building sale

Gloucestershire Police chiefs have been attacked over the way they have handled the sale of a building in Lechlade.

Sonia Nuttall says she has been 'gazumped' twice after being told her bids to buy the town's former police station had been accepted.

Mother-of-four Miss Nuttall, 32, of Burford Street, Lechlade, is now threatening to sue Gloucestershire Police Authority.

She has also complained to the local government ombudsman.

The saga started in March, when bids were invited for the Market Place property, which had a £225,000 guide price.

Miss Nuttall says she was told her offer of £255,000 was the highest, and the building was hers, although the sale needed the formal approval of the police authority committee. The next day she was stunned when the authority said it was re-opening the bidding after receiving a higher offer.

Miss Nuttall was determined to buy the property, and after further bidding she put in a final offer of around £300,000.

She says she was told her offer had been formally accepted on May 28, and that contracts would exchanged within eight weeks.

But two weeks later, the plans were again scuppered.

"We were ready to exchange contracts and I was really excited, then our solicitor received a telephone call telling him to stop work on the sale as there had been a higher offer," she said.

"It's appalling. I wouldn't expect a police authority to behave like this, it's immoral."

The authority says it is bound by local government legislation to ensure the property is sold to the highest bidder.

A spokesman said: "The constabulary is legally obliged to obtain the best price when desposing of any estate property.

"There is interest from several potential buyers and negotiations are still on-going."

But Miss Nuttall has been advised by her solicitors that local authorities are able to make exceptions.

And she has the backing of Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who has complained to the police.

He said: "To behave like this is appalling and is the worst form of gazumping. "It is morally indefensible."

Miss Nuttall and partner David Munday, 35, are desperate to move into the property. "The property is ideal as it's in the centre of town near to the school and our friends," she said.

The station was put on the market because a new police base opened in Fairford.