Plans for Leominster's Grange Court unveiled

1:50pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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THE regeneration of Leominster’s Grange Court is on course for completion by 2010 – and could include the town’s Tourist Information Centre.

Around 60 people attended a public meeting at Leominster’s Forbury Chapel recently to discuss plans for the half-timbered building.

The meeting was organised by the Leominster Area Regeneration Committee (LARC) and covered the history of Grange Court and plans for its future development.

Wendy Coombey, chairman of the LARC Grange Court steering group, said the meeting went well.

“We listened to the concerns of Pinsley Road residents, who are worried about the impact on traffic down that road, and set out ideas for the use of the building,” she said.

“These include using it as a wedding venue – we will be working with places like the Lion Ballroom and the Priory Church, as they are also locations.

“Obviously, we won’t be changing the outside appearance of Grange Court because it is a Grade II listed building and, inside, we want to retain the mayor’s parlour.

“The upper rooms were originally one large room used as a guildhall and we want to restore this to its original size and glory.

“It would be a place for people to come and visit and a space to hire.”

LARC also hopes to build a new state-of-the-art complex on the Grange Court site, out of sight of the 1633 building.

“This will include rooms to be rented out and a changing place for disabled people.

“Far from the usual disabled toilet blocks, it will be a specially-designed room with showers and good facilities,” said Ms Coombey.

“We have also explored the idea of the Tourist Information Centre being based in Grange Court if it is not able to stay where it is, although members of the LARC board would prefer it to stay in the town centre.”

Earlier this year, Herefordshire Council gave LARC the chance to buy Grange Court for just £1, provided it came up with £800,000 of its own – needed to release £1 million of lottery funding.

“We have applied to the Rural Regeneration Zone through Advantage West Midlands and to the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we should know by April or May, but we are aiming for completion by 2010,” added Ms Coombey.