Council halts Lymington Town Hall sale amid concerns, assuring current tenants and sparking political debate.
Jill Cleary leads the Conservative council group. She said work stopped on Town Hall proposals. The council won’t sell the building right now.
Lymington and Pennington Town Council are there. The National Park Authority also uses it. A police station and businesses operate there.
Cleary spoke at a meeting in February. The council considered options for the Town Hall. Local government changes are now a priority. She told managers to stop the project.
A letter went to the Town Hall tenants. They can stay after their leases expire. This includes the National Park Authority, Lymington and Pennington Town Council, and the police.
Cleary can’t guess the Town Hall’s long-term future. But the council isn’t selling it currently.
Jack Davies is a Liberal Democrat councillor. He often asked about the Town Hall. Davies reacted to the council leader’s statement. He said the short-term future is settled. He credits a campaign by local Lib Dem councillors.
Davies stated Conservative councillors wanted to sell. They wanted a care home and houses built. He doesn’t trust them after reorganization.
Lib Dem councillors will work to secure the long-term future. They wish to keep this important building for the town.