Report - London Borough of Hillingdon

contributions made from third parties as well as the costs of purchase and for
immediate works, and to refer to full Council to identify and agree funding.
REASONS FOR OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
In view of the level of estimated costs for repairs and maintenance Cabinet is asked
for instructions on whether the Council should acquire The Great Barn or to decline
the offer. The deadline set by the owner’s liquidator, Deloitte and Touche, of
30 th November 2005 for completion of legal documentation for the purchase requires
an urgent decision of Cabinet. If Cabinet authorises pursuance of a purchase
subject to external funding being obtained then an extension of the deadline will be
sought whilst applications are made.
Under the Constitution’s Financial Rules the relevant budget will have to be referred
to full Council for a decision as there is no budget presently identified.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
1. Not proceed to purchase The Great Barn on the current basis.
2. To purchase The Great Barn taking into account the capital and revenue
costs as identified in the report, at a value of £1, with completion on 30 th November
2005 or thereabouts.
3. To instruct officers to ascertain whether any further external funding could be
obtained and make the acquisition conditional upon this and there being no or a
limited cost for the Council through purchase.
INFORMATION
1. The Great Barn (The Barn) is the most important historic building in the
Borough. Built in 1426 for farm storage purposes it is of cathedral-like proportions
approximately 60m long, about 12m wide and 12m high. Internally it has a 12 bay
nave and side aisles and was built for the Bishops of Winchester (it is said that the
12 bays mirror the 12 bays of Winchester Cathedral). It is the second longest timber
framed barn in England. Whilst it is believed that almost the entire frame is original,
the northern cill plate has been replaced and other restorations were carried out in
the early 1990’s by the owners including underpinning of foundations, rebuilding the
southern end (due to fire damage) and restoring the plinth walls.
2. The Great Barn was used for farming purposes until the 1970’s (the fire
damage took place in the 1970’s) but with no farming activities and poor state it is
not suitable for modern use. The surrounding Manor Court site has been
redeveloped with converted and new buildings grouped around The Barn leaving the
historic building in a pleasant setting.
3. During its previous ownership The Great Barn was used (limited to 18 days
per year under a Section 52 Agreement) for various community activities including:-
PART 1 – MEMBERS, PUBLIC AND PRESS
Cabinet report 10 th November 2005 Page 272