'Huge protection' promised for historic Northampton buildings

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

Senior councillors have insisted that historic public buildings would have "huge protection" after plans were agreed for their "disposal".

The proposals suggested that sites in Northampton, such as County Hall and the Judges' Lodgings, could be turned into flats and houses.

The Sessions House could be used for commercial food and drinks operations.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) cabinet met on 13 February and discussed the plans.

WNC no longer needs several public buildings in Northampton town centre following a shake up of local government in the county.

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

WNC's cabinet met to discuss a report that suggested the Constabulary Block, which was once the headquarters of Northamptonshire Police, could be sold or offered on a long lease for conversion into flats or town houses.

The report proposed offering Judges' Lodgings on a long lease as a hotel extension or private residence, and the centre block of County Hall on a long lease to become flats.

The Sessions House, which includes old courtrooms and cells, was considered suitable for commercial food and drink operations.

County Hall and the Sessions House in Northampton town centre are listed buildings

Adam Brown, WNC's deputy leader, told councillors: "The fact that it's leasehold, offers the council and its heritage assets huge protection versus any proposed freehold, which is where I think a lot of the excitement around this is misplaced."

Wendy Randall, who leads the Labour opposition group, wanted the Sessions House to become a public attraction.

She said: "The National Justice Museum in Nottingham is very similar to what we have, with its courtrooms and prison cells, and they charge £10 a ticket.

"I haven't read anywhere in the report that we are looking at doing anything like that at all."

Some councillors suggested the Sessions House could become another justice museum, like the one in Nottingham

Ms Randall also questioned whether the council would be dealing with the maintenance backlog in the buildings, estimated to cost between £4m and £5m, before selling or leasing the sites.

The WNC leader said a justice museum was a "great proposal", but the council did not have "all the answers" to financial questions at this stage.