Race to save Old Rectory with grant

Shropshire Council was given the money as part of a planning condition that allowed Sainsbury's to move to the town in 2012, and those funds have been put aside to repair The Old Rectory in Whitchurch.

But with only four more years to spend the money, Shropshire Councillor for Whitchurch Gerald Dakin fears it could be lost unless a suitable scheme is quickly put forward to the council's planning department.

Councillor Dakin, who has been in touch with Shropshire Council's architectural officer about the matter, said: "The owner has not got a good enough application for the funds to be granted to the scheme.

"Shropshire Council would grant the permission but it needs to be for a good scheme.

"I understand there is a time limit on spending this and people are concerned that if it is not complied with in that time, the funding will be lost."

The building's owner, developer Patrick Lomax, said he was trying to get a planning application prepared with the involvement of English Heritage and Shropshire Council to enable him to access the funding pot.

He said: "I want to get the building in a state that is safe and watertight before a complete restoration project."

He added that he was exploring several ideas for the future use of the building.

Shropshire Councillor Mal Price, cabinet member for regulatory services, said: "The Section 106 contribution for Old Rectory was received by Shropshire Council on 31 May 2012, and under the terms of the agreement the council has seven years from the date of receipt to spend these funds on Old Rectory, therefore until May 31 2019.

"Shropshire Council's conservation officer is currently working with the Old Rectory owners to design a suitable plan for the building. They will be meeting with Historic England in July to formulate a project."

The Old Rectory on Claypit Street dates back to 1749 and has been empty since 1994.

It has 40 rooms and was used as a listening station during the Second World War.

It is described as being in "poor" condition in the Heritage At Risk register.

"It needs substantial repairs, both internally and to the roof.

Whitchurch Joint Commissioning & Economic Board has been working with owners of empty properties in the town for the last 15 months.

The aim of the board is to bring these empty properties back into use by encouraging landlords to make them habitable and also to improve the street scene.