Disappointment as Fenland District Council put moves to acquire former Wisbech Vehicle Exchange on hold until the autumn

Moves by Fenland District Council into possibly acquiring the former Wisbech Vehicle Exchange site have been put on hold until the autumn.

The site, in Old Lynn Road, has been labelled a 'blot on the landscape' and has been the subject of calls for action by the council on social media sites.

Local councillors Mike and Virginia Bucknor asked Fenland Council for an update on progress on the site.

In response the council issued a statement explaining the site, which has been the subject of at least two arson attacks, is currently under the ownership of the Crown Estate.

However, the Crown Estate are not obliged to take any action which, says the statement "might be construed as an act of management, otherwise they can become liable."

Under normal circumstances Fenland Council has powers to step in and carry out work and then pursue the owners for the costs. But enforcement action can not be taken against the Crown Estate and any money spent by the council can not be recovered.

This says the statement makes things difficult. However, in December last year Fenland did pay for the site to be fenced to make it secure and the council also decided to investigate the possibility of acquiring the site with a view to facilitating redevelopment.

However, the statement stresses the council must balance the public interest with "prudent financial opportunity", which means the authority would only commit to buying the site if it was either cost-neutral or cost-positive.

However, during recent contact with the Crown Estate, it has just been confirmed that the former directors of Wisbech Vehicle Exchange are now seeking to restore the company (to which the property was vested) following dissolution. It is understood that the request will be considered by the courts in the autumn of 2018.

The statement adds: "Until the determination of the former directors' case for restoring the company is considered any such expenditure incurred by the council on the property is entirely at risk, so as a result any current council action is deferred until the outcome of the court decision. Should the property vest back in the previous owners then they will be responsible for its future."

Councillor Mrs Bucknor said: "This is very disappointing, but hopefully something can be done to improve the site in the autumn."