Norwich Wensum Lodge use restriction hope dismissed

Campaigners battling to save the Norwich adult education base from being shut by Norfolk County Council had hoped their fight would be strengthened due to a reported covenant on the land.

They hoped to prove part of the deal which led to the council buying the land in 1961 was a restriction stating part of the site had to be used for education purposes.

Wensum Lodge (Image: Archant)

Green county councillor Ben Price, in whose Thorpe Hamlet ward, the King Street centre is based, asked County Hall to investigate.

But the council's lawyers confirmed no such restriction is in place, with the authority's Conservative-controlled council having agreed to close the centre and to potentially sell the site.

A council spokesman said: "NP Law have undertaken a detailed assessment as to the title and purchase of Wensum Lodge, which was acquired as part of a wider acquisition of the former Bullard and Sons Limited brewery site on King Street.

"There is no stipulation that the land (and in particular Wensum Lodge) was to be used for educational purposes."

READ MORE: Norwich Wensum Lodge closure decision to be debated again

Green county councillor Ben Price (Image: Olly Price)

Mr Price, whose petition over the centre has secured more than 5,000 signatures, said the fight to protect Wensum Lodge would continue regardless.

He said: "I appreciate the answer from officers, which provides me with assurances that there are no restrictions in the use of the site.

"But that does not mean they are making the right decision. The response to my petition has been amazing and makes clear that the people of Norfolk want this site retained for adult education."

A dress-making workshop at Wensum Lodge (Image: Steve Adams)

Now the petition has hit 5,000 signatures it means the county council will have to hold a debate over it in September.

Meanwhile, the council's scrutiny committee will consider the cabinet's decisions at a meeting on Wednesday (July 19).