Information Centre/Barber's Shop

For 3 years the Parish Council has been trying to gain a legal access to its building at the entrance to the Moat House. The problem has occured because, when the roundabout was put in, the access to the hotel was changed but the necessary entry was not made in the Land Registry which gave the Parish Council its legal access. Whilst there was a temporary building on the land, not having the access legally registered to the Parish Council was not that important but, before erecting a new building there costing in the region of £180,000 - £200,000, it was felt that it would be irresponsible not to tie up all the legal ends.

When the access is obtained and the building erected it will be let at an annual rental of approximately £25,000 which will help to offset any steep rises in the precept (which translates into Council tax for residents).

Our solicitors had hoped that an arrangement could be made with the Moat House.  The Council was prepared to enter into an agreement with them whereby they sold the access to us for £1,000 (under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act ) and we allowed them to have an illuminated sign from the electricity supply which we would be laying.  However, whilst the Manager at the Bar Hill Moat House was willing to enter into such an arrangement, the head office was not. The Moat House has now been sold and contact has been made with the new owners. 

Many residents would like the old derelict, burnt-out building demolished and the site cleared.  The Parish Council has discussed this on several occasions but they are reluctant to do that until the new building is about to commence.  Those of you who have been on the village a few years will know that we have had problems with travellers coming to visit, and the Council felt the site at the entrance to the village would be too much of a temptation.

The good news is that the new owners of the hotel have been in touch with the Parish Council and are prepared to grant us access over their entrance to our land.  Their solicitors are communicating with our solicitors and things seem at last to be moving along.  The access will need to be registered with Land Registry so that will take time, but meantime the Parish Council is meeting to make final decisions about the future of this area.

Wednesday 7 June 2006 - The Parish Council agreed a plan for the proposed building and the architect has been instructed to apply for planning permission.

Thursday 16 November 2006 - The Parish Council has received planning permission for the office buiding for this site.  Confirmation of access by the hotel is now required, and then the project will go to tender.

June 2007 - this project has now gone out to tender.

November 2007 - 3 tenders came back, all over budget.  However, the Parish Council is now working with the contractor whose tender was the lowest.  It may be that the changes which the Council and the contractor want may mean that planning permission has to be sought again. 

December 2007 - the Parish Council has appointed a contractor for this work.

April 2008 - an application for planning permission is now with South Cambs District Council, the solicitors are negotiating the access, and preparations are being made to commence work.

16 June 2008 - work began to demolish the old building and to build a new office.  After many years of negotiations the Parish Council has finally obtained legal access to the site.  The work is scheduled to be completed in approximately 26 weeks.