Below you will find the official statement issued by Warrington Borough Council on 28th April 2010 to clarify the current position with regard to Walton Hall Estate and gardens:
This note is intended to give an overview of the process the Council is currently pursuing for the restoration of Walton Hall estate.
In 2008 the Council’s Executive Board agreed to explore the potential of the estate in order to preserve it for future generations. This would be a mix of commercial opportunities as well as enhancing the current range of facilities.
The main buildings within the estate are in a poor condition, particularly the Glasshouse and Equestrian Hall. The Council does not have the financial resources available to restore these buildings. We do not want the estate to decline. Unfortunately, external grant funding has not yet been forthcoming. Therefore, we feel it is necessary to explore other options to secure a viable future for the estate.
Like most other public parks, the Council has to maintain Walton from existing budgets. We would wish the estate to be self-financing and viable into the future through a mix of commercial activities appropriate for a park environment. Last year, the Council explored what interest could be generated through a national advertising campaign to deliver these aspirations.
We have followed appropriate formal procurement processes and discussed opportunities with a number of businesses and interested parties. The detail will be reported to the Council’s Executive Board this summer as a precursor to further public consultation.
The estate will not be sold. It is our intention that the public will continue to enjoy access throughout the estate at all times.
The council’s aspiration can be identified as three interrelated components:
1. Commercial development of the main Hall and ancillary buildings.
2. Improved golf facilities through the creation of an Academy.
3. Creative direction for the parkland through a master planning process.
The benefits to the public can be summarised as follows:
• Preserve the estate for future generations
• Improved access to the range of buildings within the estate not previously enjoyed
• Greater diversity of leisure interests
• Improved visitor experience
The Council anticipates that the timescale to achieve the above is as follows:
Summer 2010 Executive Board to select preferred partner(s) for the development of the estate
Summer 2010 Public consultation
Autumn 2010 Planning Application for main phase of development, including public participation
Spring 2011 Commence refurbishment of Walton Hall estate heritage
Spring 2011 Finalise master plan
End