EHDC leases iconic building to Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust
East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) is bringing the former fire station site in Whitehill & Bordon into community use with the Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust taking on the lease.
The council has been searching for alternative uses for the land and organisations were invited to submit bids for the site last year.
EHDC and the Trust have now formally signed a lease to bring the building back into community use, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the much-loved building.
As a former MOD fire station, the building is a non-designated heritage asset, and the council’s preference was that the building itself was retained.
Cllr Andy Tree, EHDC Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for the Whitehill & Bordon Area, said:
“Landmark buildings are important for our residents and I am delighted to see that this well-known local landmark will be used for community purposes. This is very much what I wanted to achieve.
“Our Cabinet was impressed with the Community Trust’s vision and I now wish them well in moving the project forward to open up the building for the benefit of our residents. The hard work continues!”
The Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust said:
“We are delighted to have been the successful bidder and are already in talks with local organisations and charities to bring a vibrant central ‘community station’ offering events, information, support and community projects.
“There is still a lot of work to do to bring everything together but we hope to be able to open the doors to the public soon. Watch this space!”
Although currently vacant, the site has been used in the past as the Whitehill & Bordon Team offices, an eco-exhibition and public information centre and police offices.
Transferring the property will deliver important economic and social benefits to the local community.