The Grange Court Project LARC Development Trust

The Grange Court Project LARC Development Trust

Leominster Market House 1851 John Varley RA

Leominster’s Market House was built in 1633 by John Abel, self-styled ‘Architector’ He was later dubbed ‘King’s Carpenter’ by Charles I for services during the siege of Hereford John died in 1674 aged 97

The building was moved to its present location in 1859, and converted to a house

The architectural quality tailed off at the back

In April 2008 the Local Authority officially signed off Grange Court as ‘Surplus to the County’s Requirement’ and agreed to transfer it to LARC for the sum of £ 1. LARC Development Trust

LARC is an organisation of local Leominster people It was set up in 1993 to administer the Government’s Single Regeneration Budget funding on behalf of the Town. It is composed, equally, of members drawn from the Private business sector Public and council sector Voluntary sector. LARC is now a Development Trust and Registered Charity

LARC’s aims for the Project: financially self-supporting To return ownership of the building to Leominster people To make it fully and freely accessible to everyone To manage it as a Community and Voluntary Sector Hub To make it’s quality known and appreciated LARC Development Trust

Consultation Questionnaire and Leaflets We distributed 12, 500 leaflets and questionnaires via Leominster Journal, the library, churches and shops 98% of returns favourable with some excellent ideas contributed.

Consultation Public Meetings We held two well-attended public meetings (this one is at the Secondary School), several meetings with nearby residents and briefings for local town and county council members.

Criticisms Victorian Staircase This stair had been cut through the upstairs Hall when it was converted to a house in 1859. The stair was too steep and dangerous for use by the public. English Heritage agreed to its removal provided that it was professionally recorded first.

Criticisms Tree Felling This is the Austrian Pine which, with seven other lesser trees, was felled as part of the project. Our independent tree expert graded it only Category B due to its limited life and tendency to drop branches. Nevertheless a small group threatened to chain themselves to it.

Graffiti protest

The former first floor plan

The first floor south office Coach House

The IT server room

General arrangement of General Arrangement of the Project proposals Proposed Development

Consents Listed Building Planning Permission Design & Access Historical Report Bat Survey Environmental Tree Survey Ecology Archaeology Building Regulations

7 th June 2013. Cllr Olwen Barnet exchanges the keys for £ 1

Official Opening Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley, opened the new building on 31 st May 2014 LARC Development Trust

Grange Court has become the Town’s focus for all kinds of social and community activities Leominster Area Regeneration Company

Spinners Day

Public Meetings

Christmas 2013

Santa and Elves

Drum Workshop

Bunting Workshop for Children in Need

Repair Cafe

Story-Telling

Pancake Day Contestants

Period Dancers

Children’s Games

Sport on The Grange

Weddings

. . and as a base for expeditions and outings.

We even helped the Town Council choose new staff – a Fish-Taster, Ale-Taster and Bread-weigher

Where Next? Leominster is currently a secondary tourist destination; LARC’s ultimate aim is to have the majority of our visitors choosing Leominster as their main objective. LARC now has the structure, constitution and track record to give confidence to funding bodies. We are able to set up partnerships with other organisations for specific projects. LARC Development Trust