Sale deal for 'eyesore' Bretton Court in Peterborough moves closer to completion

Members of Peterborough City Council’s ruling cabinet are to discuss new proposals to sell Bretton Court.

If agreed, the move will end years of uncertainty for residents living near Bretton Court who have seen the multi-storey building become derelict, boarded up and overgrown.

Plans to convert the building into 45 apartments were approved some time ago and are likely to make progress when the sale is completed.

Bretton Court is controlled by Medesham Homes, which is a joint venture company set up jointly by the council and Cross Keys Homes.

Details of the pending sale are contained in a new council document outlining arrangements to ensure the building is kept safe and secure.

It proposes a property management arrangement with Hudson Homes for the next eight months at a cost to the local authority of £16,000 with Cross Keys also to pay £16,000.

The document states: “There are ongoing discussions between the two parties (Peterborough City Council and Cross Keys Homes) around the restructuring of assets and ownership.

"This is likely to involve the sale of Bretton Court, for which a separate report and recommendations will be presented to Cabinet for approval shortly.

"In the interim period, between June 17 and the expected sale, property management arrangements are required for Bretton Court to ensure it is kept safe, secure and the current tenants have a key point of contact.”

A spokesperson for Cross Keys Homes said: “CKH has fully supported the sale of Bretton Court since the offer to purchase it was received by Medesham Homes.

"The development of Bretton Court has stalled for many years and despite our best efforts it is clear that the regeneration of the area will not be delivered in partnership by CKH and PCC.

"We firmly believe that this sale is the most effective route for redevelopment to begin at pace.

"A speedy sale of Bretton Court is in the interest of the wider Bretton community and CKH will continue to do all we can to bring this about.

“We remain firmly committed to our residents and communities in Bretton, and will continue to provide high quality homes along with support for those affected by anti-social behaviour.”

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “It is welcome news that the council and Cross Keys Homes are both focused on getting work to regenerate Bretton Court started. This is an important part of the city and the regeneration has been left to drag for too long. “Thank you to Cllr Richard Strangward and others in the area who have kept up the pressure to get the site back on track.

"We aren’t done yet and will be keeping pressure up to get a plan in place and work started.”