This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Bodicote House set to be demolished and replaced with housing
02/02/2024
The Grade II listed Old Bodicote House could be converted to apartments
Bodicote House, the home to Cherwell District Council since 1974, looks set to be demolished with the site used for new housing.
The Council announced its intention to relocate to the Castle Quay Shopping Centre in Banbury last August.
Since then the site on White Post Road in Bodicote has been marketed, with seven potential purchasers submitting bids. A preferred shortlist of three was then selected.
All of these propose the complete demolition of the main Bodicote House building with the site then used for new build housing. The Grade II listed Old Bodicote House and Stables area would be converted into apartments and houses. The Lodge at the site’s entrance is likely to remain in residential use.
A report to the Council’s Executive states that all the bids are subject to the planning process. It also notes that they are “significantly higher than the current book value” for the site with its present use as offices. However, the amount offered by each bidder is being kept confidential.
The Council intends to use the proceeds from the sale to fund its move to Castle Quay, including the required building work in the shopping centre.
Of the three bidders Councillors are recommended to accept an offer from Oxford based Lucy Developments Ltd. The report says they have offered the best bid for the site and will provide the best value, meeting the Councils affordable housing policy.
Part of Old Bodicote House is leased to Oxfordshire County Council as a Registry Office. Whilst their lease expired in 2022 the report says that that the County Council are “holding over under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and continuing to pay rent. They have been notified of the Council’s intention to sell the site and the Council has engaged with them to assist with their potential relocation.”
The Executive will consider the report on Monday evening with the discussion due to be held in private, with the public and press excluded.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam