Online petition launched to save Old Prison (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

An online petition has been launched on the Cotswold District Council, asking them to delay the decision to sell the Old Prison at Northleach, the current headquarters of the Cotswold Conservation Board

4:07pm Monday 14th November 2011 in News By Ian Craig

The Old Prison at Northleach

ANGRY residents have hit out at Cotswold District Council’s sale of the historic Old Prison at Northleach by launching an online petition to save the site.

The petition, the first of its kind to appear on the CDC website, was created after the 18th century building, home of the Cotswold Conservation Board (CCB), was put up for sale last month.

Though the CCB has applied for a heritage lottery grant to allow them to buy the building, the building could still stand to be sold to a private buyer when the bidding process ends in January.

The petition was created by Diana Ray and her husband Gordon Jackson, who live in nearby Cold Aston.

“We want them to delay the sale until December 2012 because that gives us more time to develop plans and get funds together if necessary, and also to see if the CCB is successful in their lottery bid,” said Mrs Ray.

“We need time for the community to come up with ideas because it’s such a vital heritage site – in these days of cutbacks I really don’t think we could afford to buy a building to replace it.

“The building itself is in such a wonderful position and has such a lot to offer – I think it’s a real jewel in the crown of The Cotswolds.”

Anyone can submit a petition to CDC through the e-petitions link on the front page of the council’s website.

If the petition receives more than 850 signatures, it will be debated at a meeting of CDC’s full council, where councillors will consider the issues made and comments made and potentially review their decision.

Mrs Ray was born in the area, and her mother contributed items to the CCB’s collection.

“The collection was always meant to be public not kept in a shed somewhere,” she said.

“I think the selling of assets for short term gain is not wise stewardship – we need our councillors to have a more long term view.”

A spokesman from CDC said all bids for the building will be considered on their own merits.

“We have already made it clear that we can no longer justify spending Council Tax money on the property, especially since it will require significant investment over the next few years,” he said.

“However, should the Conservation Board raise sufficient funds to cover that investment and deliver an exciting new resource, we believe this would be a very positive outcome.”

To sign the petition see the link below.