Battle to save Northleach Old Prison rages on (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Battle to save Northleach Old Prison rages on

2:36pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Ian Craig

The Old Prison at Northleach

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the historic Old Prison at Northleach have vowed to fight on after a Heritage Lottery bid was turned down.

The Cotswold Conservation Board (CCB), which is responsible for running the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is based at the 18th century building, has been fighting to save it since Cotswold District Council put the former house of correction up for sale in October last year.

Although the organisation had made a £1.3m application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to help it buy the grade two listed building, this was rejected last week.

Undaunted, the volunteer-run organisation Friends of the Cotswolds, the charity arm of the CCB, has instead submitted its own bid to CDC, along with a fundraising campaign to raise £750,000 towards the cost.

Friends of the Cotswolds chairman Simon Randall said the organisation hopes to turn the building into a visitors centre for the AONB.

"The Old Prison is a fascinating and much-loved piece of our local history which has a great deal of potential to become a valuable resource for local residents and visitors," he said.

"We are working with the CCB and calling on the local community to donate to our appeal and help us raise the necessary funds to secure this building for future generations to enjoy.

"The appeal is being funded, very generously, by St James’ Place in Cirencester and we will probably be able to announce the first donation next week."

Acting head of the heritage lottery fund for the south west Richard Bellamy said, although the organisation recognised the historic importance of the building, the project did not offer good value for money compared to others under consideration.

"We are happy to continue a dialogue with the CCB as they consider their future options for both the building and the collection," he added.

In addition to the campaign, the sale itself is due to be debated at CDC’s next full council meeting on February 28, after a petition to delay the sale reached the 850 signatures required to spark a fresh debate.

A spokesman from CDC said the CCB’s bid would be considered on its own merits along with any others.