Public should beconsulted on sale ofTown Hall Cottage

Rye Town Council, which owns the historic building adjacent to the Town Hall, is proposing to sell it.

But Cllr Mary Smith fears the building has been woeful undervalued in a report the council has received.

The building, in the heart of the sought after Rye Citadel area, has three bedrooms and a cellar.

It has been valued at £258,750 or £290,000 after refurbishment work.

Cllr Smith said: “That seems to be a very low valuation to me.

“This is a unique building in the heart of the Rye and I strongly believe the public should have a say in what happens to it.”

Currently the building is being rented to the George Hotel and used to provide accommodation for its staff.

The George will have an option to buy the building the council has said.

One of the ideas Rye Town Council is looking at is using the proceeds from the sale of the Town Hall Cottage to purchase of a number of smaller properties for the purpose of providing rental accommodation for low income local families.

Cllr Jonathan Breeds said he was aware of local families who were having difficulty in finding affordable private sector property in Rye and were having to consider moving to Hastings.

He said that over time the council could build up housing stock which would help successive generations of Rye families to remain in the parish.

The council has said that properties suitable for purchase may become available when the Valley Park estate is completed or when the former Tilling Green School site is developed.

Rye Borough Council’s housing stock was transferred to Rother in 1974 with the formation of the district council. It fought then to retain ownership of the Town Hall Cottage.