News Oakhill visitor centre plans under threat
Plans to use New Potter Grange near Goole as a visitor centre for a proposed country park have been thrown into disarray amid confirmation that talks are ongoing between development company Sterling St James and the current owner of the house, Claudio Coppola.
The Goole Times understands that these negotiations are the result of an offer being made for the property (pictured, right), although there is no guarantee that new owners coming in would necessarily lead to the demolition of the building.
No planning permission for the site has yet been submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, but plans for a major Tesco distribution warehouse on land adjacent to the site have been validated and are out to consultation.
Mr Coppola said: "They have made an initial approach and we are investigating the possibility of them acquiring the property."
Promotional material at the Centreport site includes large advertising hoardings clearly showing a warehouse on the site of New Potter Grange; in the application received by the council the wildlife area is marked as "arable field".
Mr Coppola and Goole Town Councillor Kester Dean are determined to keep the development wolves from the door, setting up a group called Friends of Oakhill, the name of the proposed country park. They believe it makes more sense to preserve the house and turn it in to the country park centre.
Cllr Dean said: "Centreport should be a great scheme but currently it is heading for disaster.
"Goole has a low-pay, low-skill economy. Centreport was supposed to remedy that and turn it round to create quality jobs.
"To be even considering destroying environmental and cultural assets of this kind when there are already 200 acres for employment use is disgraceful."
Mr Coppola added: "I'm in an impossible position because life has been made very difficult for me. I feel like I'm being forced to move to save my sanity. The best outcome is if I can be allowed to start my life elsewhere - but I want to ensure that Goole holds on to this historic building."
The head of strategic development regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, David Custance, said: "Prior to the development of the Centreport site, Yorkshire Forward undertook a full environmental survey and consulted the local authority and other regulatory planning authorities."
Published on 23rd November 2006 in News.
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