A delegated decision report has been released by the council calling on Cllr George Brown, cabinet member for Economy, to approve the sale of former Swanmore Middle School in Ryde.
The sale is part of the council’s disposal of capital receipts programme and is a result of the closure of all middle schools after the change from a three tier to two tier education system.
Cllr Brown is being recommended to approve option (a)
To sell the property to the party making the highest bid for the freehold interest, and who is in the strongest financial position to proceed, conditional on the Department for Education approval to dispose.
Details of the offers already made are being kept secret. The council say if “this was made publicly available it may prejudice the council’s position if any of the bidders chose to renegotiate their offer, as they would have knowledge of the other offers received”.
Details of potential sale
Update 18:54 Many thanks to Hermit who, in the comments, pointed to this Gully Howard marketing document of Swanmore, which claims “Site with a resolution to grant planning permission for 24 residential units” on the site.
Monday, 10th December, 2012 3:18pm
By Sally Perry
ShortURL: http://wig.ht/2ajP
Filed under: Isle of Wight Council, News, Ryde, School Reform, Top story
.
10.Dec.2012 3:39pm
It would make a good school…
10.Dec.2012 4:04pm
Or maybe a new HQ for the IoW Council
10.Dec.2012 10:59pm
That would be nice. I could walk to work.
10.Dec.2012 5:29pm
That was a reference to the government’s recent decision to make such redundant properties available for ‘Free Schools’, which seems like poetic justice after the council’s attempts to cash in on property released by the reorganisation.
It may be that this deal predates that, although as it’s not approved yet…
10.Dec.2012 4:25pm
“The council say if “this was made publicly available it may prejudice the council’s position if any of the bidders chose to renegotiate their offer, as they would have knowledge of the other offers received”.
So the Council is not seeking the best competitive price? Or would it be embarrassing when the eventual buyer’s name is revealed having bought at a price lower than other offers?
10.Dec.2012 5:24pm
I must have been seeing things when I saw plans for 15 houses on the planning website, then, several months ago?
10.Dec.2012 5:32pm
You were, Paula. A nice man from the IW Ministry of Truth will soon be round to wipe your computer and re-educate you…
10.Dec.2012 6:15pm
http://www.gullyhoward.com/pdfs/203213.pdf Here we go, 24 houses, on a flyer that I’m sure went through doors in the nearby area
10.Dec.2012 7:01pm
Many thanks. Have embedded in the main story now.
10.Dec.2012 6:50pm
How odd that IWC doesn’t appear to know where this school is. When I drove past it today it was still in Bettesworth Road.
10.Dec.2012 6:51pm
A video taping from a recent council meeting.
Allegedly… ;-)
12.Dec.2012 11:44am
Delegated George is getting lots of new christmas presents and gifts at the moment – expect a give-away programme before the summer.
10.Dec.2012 6:30pm
Sorry, link didn’t appear, then it did, so it’s here a couple of times. My bad people!