Battle Almonry project set to be scaled down

A project to renovate the historic Almonry building in Battle is expected to be scaled back.
The Almonry, Battle. SUS-160311-103152001The Almonry, Battle. SUS-160311-103152001
The Almonry, Battle. SUS-160311-103152001

The town council held a virtual meeting on Tuesday (June 30) to discuss the building’s future.

Councillors also discussed the results of a consultation questionnaire sent out in April to around 6,000 people in the Battle area, included as part of its Annual Report, asking for comments on a number of options for the Almonry.

Just over 100 completed questionnaires were returned.

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It said after Tuesday’s meeting councillors came up with a ‘compromise programme’, which involves the removal of the proposal to rebuild the south wing to form additional meeting space and accessible toilet facility.

The detail of the new proposal will be discussed by the Almonry Development Working Group for final agreement by Full Council at a later date.

The council said this will comprise of plans for repairs to the external and internal structure of the Almonry identified in the 2019 condition report, such as repairs to the roof, guttering and down pipes, chimneys, windows, masonry, panelling, ceilings, staircase and roof insulation; renewal of services, such as heating, lighting, rewiring, fire-proofing and alarms, toilets and kitchens; low cost conversion of floor space to include a tourist information point and making the ground floor accessible for those with disabilities.

Cllr Glenna Favell, chairman of Battle Town Council, said: “The council is grateful to residents for taking the time to complete the questionnaire and indicate their level of their support for each of the four options.

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“Many of them also submitted comments, which have all been noted.

“The responses within the 103 completed questionnaires did not offer a decisive result, but there was a clear message - there is little support for moving the council from the Almonry.

“However, the combined responses to all options indicated the council must find a way to bring the Almonry up to an acceptable standard and keep it as a council office.

“Therefore, in the post-Covid-19 economic climate, the council pragmatically agreed to a compromise programme.”

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