Deeds could save Old Memorial Hospital (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Deeds could save Old Memorial Hospital

CIRENCESTER'S threatened Old Memorial Hospital could be saved - thanks to a clause in the original deeds for the building.

That is the claim of Lord Apsley, of Cirencester Park, who says if Cotswold District Council decides to demolish it anyway, it may be forced to pay out thousands to worthy local causes.

CDC wants to flatten the historic building in Sheep Street to make way for extra car parking spaces.

The proposals have angered locals, who say the OMH is an important part of the town's heritage.

But Lord Apsley, whose family donated the building to the town, says CDC could be forced to pay in more ways than one if it decides to proceed with the plans.

The original deeds for the building state that if the building was ever sold proceeds should go towards the provision of a new hospital or to local charities.

And he argues that if the council, which now owns the building, gets rid of it altogether it could be liable to pay out the market value.

He said: "If they demolish the building, the proceeds should go to the people of Cirencester.

"It seems a crazy idea of flattening it for car parking anyway. What it is being used for now is for the benefit of the community. It's an ideal property that can be let out.

"Personally, I would knock half the back off it and get an architect to redesign it but the facade and staircase inside must be kept at all costs."

The Memorial Hospital was founded in 1875 by Major Allen Bathurst in memory of his wife Meriel Leicester Bathurst.

It was bought by the district council for development in 1988 and is currently home to the town's registry office, bus operator Stagecoach and Cirencester College.

The Living Memory Historical Association presents annual exhibitions in the Second World War air raid shelter in the hospital car park.

The group had planned to expand by setting up a study and research centre in the hospital building.

Last year, college students sent a petition with 190 names to planning officers, calling for the building to be saved, and both Cirencester Civic Society and the Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society, are opposed to the plans.

More than 1,000 people have also backed the Standard's campaign to save the OMH.

But, despite the strong local feeling and Lord Apsley's claims, the council denies it will have to pay out if the building is demolished.

Council spokesman Claire McGine said: "We were aware of the paragraph in the 1921 conveyance referred to by Lord Apsley when we bought the property in 1988.

"However, it is not a covenant that runs with the land, so now has no relevance to CDC.

"When we bought the OMH, we paid our money to the Secretary of State for Social Services - it was then up to him/her to deal with the sale proceeds in accordance with the declaration of trust."

A final decision over any demolition would have to be made by the Secretary of State because the building is in a conservation area.