Council with stark choices may sell chapel and rec

A former chapel in Wisbech Cemetery could be sold by Fenland District Council

A recreation ground and a former chapel are on a list of assets a council could sell.

Fenland District Council in Cambridgeshire has identified 18 sites "suitable for disposal" as it tries to ease budget pressures.

Station Road Recreation Ground, in Whittlesey, and the chapel in Wisbech Cemetery are included, along with sites in March, Chatteris, Coates, Wimblington, Benwick and Leverington.

A report to the council's cabinet said it faced "stark choices" about funding and "continuing pressures on its budget".

'Surplus assets'

Each site will be considered in terms of current and future development, potential, use and likely purchasers.

Ward councillors would be made aware of any planned "disposals" within their areas, as well as adjoining owners or residents of the potential sites for sale.

The report said the sales could also enable further residential development.

It said: "To support the council's aspirations and the future capital programme it is necessary to dispose of surplus assets which the council owns.

"These proposed sites have been considered alongside the emerging investment strategy and are not considered to meet the current criteria for retention."