Council agrees deal for building at Lockton Lane, Bewsey (From This Is Cheshire)

Council agrees deal for building at Lockton Lane, Bewsey

4:10pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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WARRINGTON Islamic Association has agreed a deal to buy the former gym at Bewsey Old School from the council.

Following detailed negotiation, council bosses have agreed to sell the building for £200,000 - around £60,000 less than the market value.

Monday’s meeting of the executive board was told that the deal was to ensure the gym remained in community use.

The building, off Lockton Lane, is currently half used by the association for worship as a mosque and half used as a community centre.

The new deal will mean the WIA will be able to carry out repair work needed to the tune of £196,000.

Clr Bob Timmis, executive member for leisure services and member for Bewsey and Whitecross, said: “The Islamic community is a valued part of the general community in Bewsey and Whitecross as a whole.

“There has been, particularly over the last 12 months, good relations between WIA and the rest of the community.”

WIA has been looking for alternative accomodation but as that search has proved fruitless they have focused on revamping the gym.

The meeting heard that the deal to sell off the gym for a cut-price deal will not provide a precedent for other council property.

Andy Farrall, head of environment and regeneration, said part of the council’s role was to ensure that community use can be taken into account when decisions are made to sell off council property.