Historic Northampton town centre buildings could be sold

County Hall in Northampton town centre is a listed building

Plans are being drawn up to sell historic buildings in a town centre.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) said Northampton's County Hall and other nearby properties were in a poor condition and were not "effective for modern operational need".

Much of the space was no longer used after eight Northamptonshire councils were reduced to two in 2021.

WNC said the buildings would be offered on long leases to "retain a degree of control" over their future.

A report to WNC's Cabinet said: "It is clear that the council has a surplus of office and administrative meeting rooms, and we are not making the best use of the space we have in terms of value for money."

It added the buildings in Northampton were "a cherished heritage asset" and their long-term futures should be "secured".

The Grade I listed Sessions House, with its familiar facade on George Row, was completed in 1678 after the Great Fire of Northampton and was a functioning court until 1987.

The report said this could be leased to commercial food and drink operations, and there was some scope for tours of courtrooms and cells.

The Judges' Lodgings are still occasionally used to accommodate visiting judges

The 17th Century Judges' Lodgings are next door to the Sessions House and are occasionally still used for visiting judges.

The report said the idea of using the building as a hotel extension should be explored, and, if that does not prove to be possible, it should be marketed on a long lease as a private residence.

The Constabulary Block was the headquarters of the Northamptonshire police force in the early 20th Century

The Constabulary Block on Angel Street was the headquarters of Northamptonshire Police and has recently been used as the offices of the county's coroner.

A more modern extension behind it houses the WNC data centre.

The report said that, if it possible to separate the historic building from the data centre, it could be sold or put on a long lease to be turned into flats or houses.

The report being discussed on Tuesday said the proposals to sell off the buildings could significantly reduce the annual £664,000 cost of running the county hall site.

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