• The bowling green and clubhouse at Castle Green is owned by the Council and is vacant following surrender of the longstanding agreement held by the Castle Green Bowls Club.
• The Council has no requirement to occupy the property for service delivery purposes and it has become a target for vandalism in this historic part of the City and which forms part of a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
• Friends of Castle Green (FoCG) CIC have submitted an expression of interest in taking a lease of the property and refurbishing it as a community hub for the delivery of public and community activities and events
• FoCG already lease the adjacent Castle Green Pavilion under a lease granted in 2018 under the council’s (CAT) policy.
• Following the grant of that lease they successful applied for and secured funding of £1.5m from the government’s Stronger Towns funding stream, obtained planning and Scheduled Ancient Monument consent and are currently refurbishing the building to reflect its historic past and become a sustainable community asset
• The current proposal is to grant a 30 year lease of the property to FoCG subject to them submitting a fully costed business case evidencing that funding is available for the refurbishment works and on-going maintenance and running costs with provision for termination of the lease after 2 years if such funding is not forthcoming
• The lease will also require them to obtain planning and all other necessary consents and take responsibility for all repairs and other outgoings