Yahoo News Greenwich Equestrian Centre put up for sale by council despite 800-strong petition
Greenwich's equestrian centre is set to be sold off following a decision by the council. The centre in Shooters Hill had closed earlier this year, with a petition to save the space receiving over 800 signatures.
The centre was built in 2013 in an effort to deliver a legacy from the equestrian events of the 2012 Olympic Games. The project cost £1.6 million to deliver through a joint venture between multiple investors including Hadlow College, the council and the British Equestrian Federation.
The authority’s cabinet agreed to sell the site at a meeting on November 26. Pippa Hack, the council’s director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills, will now oversee the process of the sale and ensure the best price is obtained for the council.
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Greenwich Council documents said that the 6.29 acre property includes a listed building alongside two other structures for equestrian training. Officers claimed the site is currently vacant and had high operating costs. Their report said the land was considered for a future special educational needs facility but the existing building was deemed not to be large enough for the conversion.
Other options for the site included transferring its ownership and all associated maintenance to a community group. However, this was dismissed by council officers given such groups could require continued financial support if taking on the property.
The report said: "The disadvantage is that any lease granted or property sold is expected to be at a level which is below the market value or at nil value. Given the current financial constraints and medium term financial strategy pressures, this would not optimise financial returns to the council for investment in services supporting the wider objectives of the council and its residents."
The decision also saw the agreed sale of a detached house on Mereworth Drive in Shooters Hill. Council officers said in their report that the property is in a poor condition and is adjacent to Shrewsbury House School. The council has reportedly invested over £1.6m in repairs to the school building but the Mereworth Drive house is not included in the refurbishment, hence its recommendation for disposal.
The two properties were brought forward for consideration following a wider list of council-owned assets being agreed for sale last month to bridge a projected budget gap of £27m next year. Included among the properties was the Grade II listed Plumstead power station, which was intended to be converted into a £8m film production studio by Mo-Sys Engineering.
Regarding the disposal of council assets, Labour Councillor Mariam Lolavar said at a meeting last month: "Ultimately, it's not the position that we want to be in but it is the reality of the situation that we're in. We're seeing councils failing and filing for bankruptcy all over the UK and that is not the position that we want to be in."
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