Why it matters: The building has been largely unused since the crown court relocated to Russell Road, with the council spending up to £50,000 annually on maintenance and security. The site has also become a location where homeless people have been sleeping rough outside the building.
The details: Cllr Neil MacDonald made the announcement during a council meeting after being questioned by Lib Dem councillor Inga Lockington about the ongoing costs of the empty building.
The council leader confirmed an options appraisal would be presented to councillors before the end of 2025, though he declined to reveal specific details about what the "exciting options" might involve.
The building has had a troubled recent history, suffering a small fire on the ground floor in March last year.
A council report showed that empty buildings, including the former crown court, contributed to the majority of the council's £55,517 loss in business rates.
What they're saying: Cllr MacDonald described the forthcoming proposals as "exciting options" but provided no further details about potential uses for the building.
Cllr Lockington, the St Margaret's ward representative, had pressed the council leadership on the financial burden the empty building was placing on taxpayers.
For context: The building was vacated when the new Crown Court opened on Russell Road and has been owned by the council for several years.
The bottom line: Councillors and residents will have to wait until the end of 2025 to discover what "exciting options" the council has in mind for the former court building.
