Tapton House campaigners have called the council’s decision to sell the historic property for apartments a ‘sad day for Chesterfield’.
Friends of Tapton House (FoTH) lost out in its bid to take over the Grade II listed landmark, as Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) chose to sell its 999-year leasehold to Stone Castle Enterprises Ltd.
FoTH member Martin Bruno commented: “It’s a sad day for Chesterfield’s heritage, it’s a sad day for Chesterfield community and it’s a sad day for Chesterfield democracy.”
The house, which was previously home to George Stephenson and the industrious Markham family, was sold to Chesterfield Corporation in 1926 on the instruction that it be kept in good repair ‘for the benefit of the inhabitants of Chesterfield’.
However, CBC says this was a ‘private agreement’ that ended upon the death of Charles Paxton Markham and it cannot afford to renovate and maintain the historic building.
In a meeting yesterday (December 12) that neither public nor press were allowed to attend, CBC Cabinet chose the winning bid, which will see the house turned into 15 apartments, three town houses and two bungalows.
Councillor Paul Holmes, the sole Liberal Democrat cabinet member at the Labour controlled council, voted against the decision.
He commented: “It’s all very well saying the council have got to do something because Tapton House has been stood empty for four years – but it is the council who have left it in that neglected state.
“Four years ago, when Chesterfield College vacated the house, the council could have commissioned a proper study of the options open to it.
“They could have investigated capital grants for conversion to office space, to extend the successful Innovation Centre next door.
“They could have investigated heritage grants towards opening at least part of the building to commemorate both George Stephenson and the Markham family’s contributions to Chesterfield.
“They could have actively sought a community group to partner with in opening up at least part of the building.
“They did none of this.”
Stone Castle Enterprises Ltd has stated the intention to transform part of the house into a public heritage area, to honour its famous former occupants.
Mr Bruno said of the council: “I hope they have done their due diligence, not only on the proposed plans for the house, but the viability of the company itself.”
FoTH has said while it is ‘disappointed’ its bid was not successful; it is willing to work with and support the new leaseholder for the benefit of the community.
