‘A dangerous precedent’: Council insists it will not sell historic manor house to service debt

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

Croydon council has insisted that a historic manor house will remain publicly owned ‘for future generations’, following fears that it could be sold off to service debt.

The local authority plans to lease Heathfield House in Addington Hills for 125 years to ease the high costs of maintaining the building. But, it has insisted that the council will keep the property’s freehold and be responsible for protecting the grounds.

Fears over the sale of the property arose after concerned residents noticed an advert on Savill’s estate agent for a 125-year lease for a ‘substantial and impressive’ building in Croydon’s Coombe Lane.

The advert, now removed, said the 12-bedroom property was ‘set in a wonderful location overlooking beautiful open land’ and had ‘significant opportunities for redevelopment.’

A Croydon council spokesperson said the reason for marketing the lease was due to the ‘increasingly high costs of maintenance.’ Any new leaseholder would, therefore, be responsible for the maintenance of the building.

They said: “This is the most effective way of protecting the property, whilst keeping Heathfield House and its grounds in public ownership. We are committed to protecting the grounds, which will remain open to residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Heathfield House is a grade II-listed manor surrounded by landscaped gardens in Addington Hills. Solicitor Raymond Riesco gifted it to the people of Croydon in 1964.

Since then, residents have been allowed to walk on the land. However, many residents fear that the new lease threatens that right.

Turf Projects started a petition to express the public’s concern over the apparent sale, which received more than 1,000 signatures within 24 hours.

It read: “Any sale of this site raises serious legal and ethical concerns and sets a dangerous precedent for public, historic and green spaces in the borough.”

But, the council said there are “no covenants on the land that will impact the leasing of the building”.

The petition goes on to criticise the council for its apparent disregard for the site’s protection, saying: “Rather than exploring sustainable community-led options, the council has engaged in a pattern of exclusion and dishonesty, choosing opaque processes and private interests over public benefit.”

The council has had ‘property guardians’ living in the 17-bed property since early last year to secure it from squatters and vandalism. Nearly all rooms were rented out via the Lowe Group’s website.

While the most recent lease is not the council’s first on the property, many feel the 125-year offer is tantamount to losing the public asset.

In a statement published yesterday, the council said: “With the current financial pressures we have, we need to optimise the use of council-owned properties. As part of our Asset Strategy, we have identified opportunities to lease spaces that can generate income and reduce running costs.

“This is essential to help the council become financially stable so we can continue to invest in vital services.”

Residents are irked by the news that the lease proceeds will be used to service the council’s £1.4billion historic debt burden.

Andrew Hicks signed the petition with the declaration: “This house and grounds was given to the people of Croydon, not grasping politicians to fund their own remuneration.”

Viewings for the property are ongoing, with a new leaseholder not yet confirmed.

Pictured top: Croydon Town Hall in Katherine Street, Croydon (Picture: Grahame Larter)