Key talks over future of town taking place (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Key talks over future of town taking place

9:31pm Thursday 4th May 2006 in Cotswolds news By Tom Shepherd

KEY planners and land owners in Cirencester are discussing the future of several prominent buildings in the town.

Rumours are spreading like wildfire about the possible sale and redevelopment of the King's Head Hotel, the Corn Hall and Cirencester Police Station.

The four zones in Cirencester recently earmarked for development by the district council are also being considered for building work.

These include land at Brewery Car Park and the Waterloo Car Park. Cotswold District Council, owners of the Corn Hall, refuse to confirm or deny if it is in negotiations over a possible sale.

But spokesman Claire McGine said: "It is no secret the district council is known to want to refurbish the hall while keeping the costs to a minimum to the taxpayer.

"This could involve a potential sale and leasing back part of the building so we could keep concerts and events going."

A report on the Corn Hall will go before council bosses today (Thursday), but the press and public will be barred from the discussion.

The future of the King's Head Hotel is also under the spotlight after a property developer bought the freehold from WA Shearings at the end of 2005.

But rumours the hotel could be turned into flats or a shopping mall are premature, according to new owners Wildmoor (Cirencester) Ltd.

A spokesman for the London company did confirm it is involved in sensitive discussions over certain sites in Cirencester, but there are no announcements to be made at the moment.

He said: "We bought the freehold on the King's Head Hotel and leased it back to WA Shearings, and it will remain a hotel until such a time as is right.

"We may have plans in the future, but the last thing we want to do is get people excited before anything is going to happen."

However, the spokesman did say there needed to be a 'synergy' between the King's Head and the Corn Hall if changes were made.

Wildmoor has also recently been given permission to renovate a house in Castle Street into flats, while it owns land around the Brewery Car Park and is likely to be a key player in the council's development plans for Cirencester.

Rumours about a possible sale of the police station in West Way have also started.

Cirencester police spokesman Matt Ford refused to rule out the possibility of the building being sold.

He said: "There are no plans to change policing arrangements for Cirencester and we're unable to comment on any approaches we may have had regarding properties."