Revitalising Fletton House, Oundle

In Short:

We, the undersigned, would encourage the Oundle Town Council to retain Fletton House for community use, preferably to move the Council offices and related organisations to Fletton House, thus creating a strong community hub for the town. We support the disposal of the Courthouse in part or fully to enable improved Fletton House facilities and the retention of the long stay car park in the town.

The Detail:

As detailed in the Jan 2013 edition of the Oundle Oracle, Oundle Town Council (OTC) is currently considering its estate portfolio to ensure it is fit for Council requirements and represents a good use of the Oundle residents’ money.  Within this consideration is the  County Council’s offer to OTC of a no cost asset transfer of Fletton House.

If OTC accept this offer, it is likely that the Council offices and related services would move to Fletton House, which would require the sale of the Oundle Court House (Scenario 3a) or 3b) detailed on p6 of the Oundle Oracle, Jan 2013)

This is a positive move for the following reasons:

-Fletton House is located within the heart of the Oundle community (particularly in light of the proposed population growth), next to many of the town’s existing community provisions (health and care services, the library, the Sure Start Centre, the police and fire stations, the Community Pre-School and the PHAB club are located in or within 50m of Fletton House) – moving OTC and its related services would create a strong community hub.

-Fletton House’s accommodation provides more appropriate office and meeting space than the Courthouse, and has disabled access to all areas of the building.  Access by car, cycle and bus is also possible, with car parking more easily available than near the Courthouse.

-Organisations moving with OTC, such as the Oundle Museum, the Registrar service, CHAT and the Volunteer Action would benefit from greater visibility and the higher foot fall within area of Fletton House and would be very likely to receive higher passing by visitors.  The Community Pre-School and the PHAB club, current residents of Fletton House, the Library and the Sure Start Cenre would most likely also benefit from the increased use of the building. 

-Fletton House was established as a community building which was generously given for community use years ago – bringing it back into full use would be in accordance with the Founder’s wishes.

-Fletton House should be cheaper to maintain and run than the Court House, offering savings in the longer term.

Whilst the disposal of the Courthouse would be regrettable, the building itself would be protected in whose ever hands it was sold to and its external aspect would not be changed.  The work done to the building during OTC’s residence, some of which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Grant meant that vital restorative work was undertaken which has secured its future. 

The Oundle Town Council’s move to Fletton House would not only improve OTCs services to the local community but also secure the future of another historic building within Oundle.

We would be grateful if you could sign this petition and/or complete the response form on p8 of the Oundle Oracle, returning the form to the Court House or to the Pre-School, or emailing your response to debra@oundle.gov.uk

Thank you!