Purpose

• The bowling green and clubhouse at
Castle Green is owned by the Council and is vacant following
surrender of the longstanding agreement held by the Castle Green
Bowls Club.
• The Council has no requirement to occupy the property for
service delivery purposes and it has become a target for vandalism
in this historic part of the City and which forms part of a
Scheduled Ancient Monument.
• Friends of Castle Green (FoCG) CIC have submitted an
expression of interest in taking a lease of the property and
refurbishing it as a community hub for the delivery of public and
community activities and events
• FoCG already lease the adjacent Castle Green Pavilion under
a lease granted in 2018 under the council’s (CAT)
policy.
• Following the grant of that lease they successful applied
for and secured funding of £1.5m from the government’s
Stronger Towns funding stream, obtained planning and Scheduled
Ancient Monument consent and are currently refurbishing the
building to reflect its historic past and become a sustainable
community asset
• The current proposal is to grant a 30 year lease of the
property to FoCG subject to them submitting a fully costed business
case evidencing that funding is available for the refurbishment
works and on-going maintenance and running costs with provision for
termination of the lease after 2 years if such funding is not
forthcoming
• The lease will also require them to obtain planning and all
other necessary consents and take responsibility for all repairs
and other outgoings