Newham Council set to sell off Essex Grade II listed building and campsite to save money

Debden House is a conference centre and camping site which spans 50 acres
-Credit: (Image: Google Street View)


Newham Council is set to sell a 50-acre conference centre and campsite in Essex as part of wider plans to find £70million in savings. Cabinet members have been recommended to approve a report outlining the sale of Debden House and Campsite at a meeting next Tuesday (November 5).

The site consists of Debden House, a 19th century Grade II listed building and a terrace of three two-storey houses, as well as 225 mixed camping spaces. According to a cabinet report, the site faces a number of significant issues such as it being expensive to maintain and there being 'aging infrastructure', with ongoing capital investment improvements estimated to cost around £1m.

Sarah Ruiz, who is cabinet member for environment, sustainable transport, children services and education, said: "The report demonstrates that, while Debden has served us well, its continued operation is not sustainable without substantial investment. Furthermore, it is clear that the primary users of Debden are not Newham residents or schools, which diminishes the direct benefits to our borough."

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East Ham Town Hall, where most of Newham Council's meetings are held
Newham cabinet members have been recommended to approve the plans at a meeting next week (pictured is East Ham Town Hall, where most of Newham Council's meetings are held) -Credit:Google Maps

Cllr Ruiz went on to say if the site does end up selling, it will help to reduce the council's debt and will protect 'essential services'. Currently managed by Children and Young People's Services Education, the site is occasionally used by Newham schools for activities such as camping trips - though it's mainly used by people from across London and the South East for conferences and camping.

According to data, only 18 per cent of people who used the centre last season were from Newham. If cabinet members approve the plans next week, the site is expected to be put on the market in early spring 2025, with the aim that a sale will be completed by summer of the same year.

The plans are part of the council's £70m budget savings proposals as the council has forecast a budget gap of £175m over the next three years. The council has said that £100m of its predicted budget gap is down to soaring temporary accommodation costs, with Newham experiencing the highest number of households in temporary accommodation out of the entire country. According to a cabinet report, the sale of Debden House would generate £300,000 in savings for the council.

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