Fears over access to hall dismissed

FEARS that the public will be denied access to parts of Warrington’s historic Walton Hall and Gardens if it is sold to a private investor have been dismissed by a local councillor.
In fact, the public may have more access to the hall and grounds than they do now, if current plans get the go-ahead, according to Paul Kennedy, (pictured right) councillor for Walton.
Stories have been circulating for weeks among local residents that any deal with a private hotel company would include a plan to prohibit the public from part of the grounds –in particular the much-loved rose garden.
Patrick Mullee, a former Stockton Health Parish Councillor who visits the park nearly every day, said: “I do agree that we need some investment in Walton Hall and Gardens. I’m all for that.
“The place is being run on a wing and prayer at the moment so something needs to be done. But it’s what sort of investment and what price are we going to pay for it, that concerns me.
“I’ve heard that we might lose public access to the rose gardens. I hope not, as people have donated benches and memorials over the years and it would be very sad if they were to lose access to them.”
But both Councillor Kennedy and a spokesperson for the Council have denied this would be the case, if the current deal goes ahead.
Warrington Council has confirmed it is in early talks with a private, family run company about running the site as a joint venture.
Under the proposed deal, said to be worth £23m, the Council would continue to own the hall and grounds with the private company in as long-term tenants.
The private company, which has not been named, would pay to renovate the Hall into a five star boutique hotel as well as covering the cost of developing the stables, coach house, glass houses and heritage yards and adding a conference centre.
Warrington Council would cover the cost of maintaining the grounds and formal gardens – and the public would have access to all of it.
Coun Kennedy said: “My understanding is that the hall and all of the grounds including the formal gardens will continue to be available to the public as part of this deal.
“If anything, the public would have more access than they do now because some of the facilities are in such bad repair that they are closed at the moment.
“If they were restored, they’d be open to the public again. I am keeping a very close eye on how this progresses but if a deal can be reached on this basis then it could be an ideal solution.”
A spokesperson for Warrington Council said a joint venture on this basis was being discussed and that a full public consultation of any development of Walton Hall would take place once an agreement has been reached.