Delapré stable complex lease granted
Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust will be granted a lease on the stable yard complex adjoining the main Abbey buildings, following agreement by Northampton Borough Council’s Cabinet.
Following full restoration funded by Northampton Borough Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and several other sources, the Abbey has proven very popular with visitors.
In order to achieve a greater degree of financial sustainability, the Trust now has plans to develop this area further as part of the visitor attraction and overall offer at Delapré Abbey.
Cabinet has agreed to support this initiative by agreeing a 25-year lease on a peppercorn rent, allowing the Trust to seek funding for the project.
Cllr Jonathan Nunn, council leader, said: “We felt that this would be an excellent use for the stable yard buildings, offering visitors a greater range of attractions at Delapré.
“We have a fantastic community asset here and the restoration of the Abbey itself was always intended to be a first phase that the Trust would be able to build on.
“There are still some formalities to complete and the Trust will need to identify funding for the project, and this initial step makes that possible.”
Agreement of the lease will also make it possible for the council to draw down almost £1.4 million funding which remains outstanding from the HLF.