Development guidelines have been approved for the future of a group of historic buildings in Nunthorpe which are set to go on the market.
The sale of Nunthorpe Hall Farm and Blacksmith’s Yard was given the green light by Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Sub-Committee for Property in a meeting at the Town Hall yesterday.
It gives permission for the sites to be marketed with development guidance from the North of England Civic Trust (NECT) which outlines that the main farm building and the Blacksmith’s Yard should remain as they are externally but can be turned into homes.
There will be a maximum of 20 dwellings. However, this number will depend as there will be a mix of dwellings and garages.
The proposals were first put forward in April 2012, when the committee considered a report on the Review of Non-Strategic Assets regarding the disposal of land and property.
In July 2013 the sale of the properties, at West Side in Nunthorpe Village which are let by the council for farming and commercial use, to be re-developed as housing was approved.
However, during the discussions it was decided that as both sites are in the Nunthorpe & Poole Conservation Area and contain historic buildings, the council should commission the North of England Civic Trust (NECT) to prepare development guidance.
Councillor for the Marton West Ward, Chris Hobson, said: “I think there is some disappointment about the loss of jobs but I know there is discussions with the tenants for relocating.
“This will eventually be an asset for Nunthorpe.”
The move was welcomed by English Heritage who found the council’s proactive approach refreshing.
NECT subsequently liaised with the tenants of both Nunthorpe Hall Farm and the Blacksmiths Yard in preparing their development guidance.
A four-week consultation period was also held in Autumn 2014, to which 11 responses to the plans were received on issues including access, parking, traffic, conservation, over-development and the environment.
Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration, councillor Charlie Rooney, said: “These buildings are non-strategic but are of historic importance to the town, so it is right that we do all we can to preserve this piece of our heritage.
“Because of this it was right to ask the NECT to prepare the development guidance which addresses the three themes of understanding the heritage assets, evaluating what is significant and managing change.
“These themes follow recognised conservation planning practise and the process of actively managing change to a heritage asset in order to protect what makes it significant.
“The council has gone over and above its statutory duty in its approach to conservation and we are glad this has been recognised by English Heritage.”
Chair of the committee, councillor Dave Budd, said: “There is little point of having historic buildings if they have no usage. This hopefully, will solve that problem.
“There are a few minor issues to iron out but this feels like the right way to do it and the right result at the end of it.”
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