Nocton Hall

The futility of it all

I now understand why so many long-term residents of the village have all but washed their hands in trying to salvage Nocton Hall. Not only have they exhausted their efforts to try and save this historic asset located at the heart of our village, they have been frustrated by the slow progress of the authorities to obtain a solution.

The three main protagonists with any influence over this 'at risk' heritage property are Leda Properties Ltd, North Kesteven District Council and English Heritage. But there's the rub... never the twain will meet... and much of it is down to money.

Glass half empty

The deterioration of the Hall began well before the fire all but destroyed the building in 2004. In their defence, North Kesteven District Council attempted to secure a Repairs Notice on the property, have incorporated the Hall and 'pleasure grounds' into the Nocton Conservation Area and have secured the property from further vandalism. In fact there is very little left to vandalise now... it was already robbed of many of its features prior to the fire.

Strenuous attempts to save the Hall by consecutive Parish Councils have also come to naught, despite constant meetings, writing letters, chasing outstanding matters and lobbying the local MP.

So what is the answer you may ask?

An Options Appraisal has now been completed which at least outlines the constraints and estimated costs of remedial work. However, unless a developer comes forward who can utilise the old RAF Hospital site with an 'enabling development', that will in itself pay for stabilising/restoring the Hall, I believe there is very little prospect of saving this building from becoming a total ruin. Each winter that passes, the internal walls and facades become more unstable.

Even if a Compulsory Purchase Order were to be served in 2013, North Kesteven District Council would still be left with a shell of a building and all the financial responsibilities of making it safe and secure. With public finances under constraint, they would need a willing 'partner' to produce a Development Brief before investing in the site long-term... and there just isn't the development money around currently it seems.

There have been various interested parties... the latest being LXB Retail Properties Plc with their 'Living Villages' concept. However, after an initial meeting with North Kesteven District Council and Nocton Parish Council representatives, little more has been heard.

I can't help but think that by the time any negotiations on purchase were to be finalised and acceptable plans drawn up, submitted and agreed, it would probably be years before work could even commence... and many more before any development were finished. Furthermore, it should be remembered that future development may bring other unforeseen problems to Nocton.

Glass half full

Perhaps it is important to look at what we enjoy currently? We have unfettered access to woodland footpaths surrounding the site. We can enjoy the flora and fauna. We don't have any current problems, no vandalism, no dumping and no construction traffic.

So let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. I am beginning to think that it is almost better being left as is... allowed to 'go native', becoming totally absorbed by undergrowth, providing a haven for our wildlife. But at what price for our heritage?

Parish Council

Report from Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 5 March 2013

"Only two residents attended this month’s fairly uneventful meeting. The main items of interest were as follows:

Village Green
It is intended to reset some of the concrete ‘stones’ around the green and space them out to include the area where the temporary traffic cones are presently sited.  County Councillor Marianne Overton will be coming on Saturday 20 April at 10.30 to officially hand over the new Parish Council Notice Board that was part-funded by her.

Nocton Hall
Three of our Councillors met recently with NKDC and the company “Living Villages” who are tentatively looking at the Nocton Hall and the old hospital site with a view to putting together a proposal for the development of this whole area.  The company’s thinking is, however, at a very early stage and its initial ideas had not been worked up in any great detail.  A further meeting will, therefore, be held between Parish Councillors and North Kesteven to see to what extent they fit with the agreed Options Appraisal and how they might be taken forward.  We are, therefore, clearly some way from seeing a final resolution of this long-standing matter.

Further information on this company is available on its website at www.livingvillages.com.

Road Closures:

• Wellhead Lane – between 8.00 a.m. Friday 29 March at 08.00 and 8.00 a.m. Saturday 13 April
• B1202 – between 8.00 a.m. Saturday 13 April and 5.00 p.m. Saturday 25 May

Your Parish Council is endeavouring to find out where the diversions are going and how this affects the buses and further information will be made available when known.

And finally………
For those of you who read the Sunday Times you will have seen the article on Sir James Dyson and Nocton.  If not you can view it on line – Sunday 3 March.  The Times’ reporters must have read our very own Doodle from where some of the information in their report was taken.  Well done Mr Hewitt!

Next Meeting Tuesday 2 April at 7pm.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend so a fellow Councillor will write the April report.

Councillor MaryAnn Williams"

N.B. You may like to link back to the blog entry for 7th March which makes reference to current issues regarding Planning in Lincolnshire.