The cost of maintaining the Landgate Tower is too much for Rye Town Council to take on said councillors during their meeting on Monday 8 December.
The listed building is one of a number of assets that Rother District Council is suggesting could be transferred to Rye, along with the cemetery and open spaces including the Salts.
The district council and East Sussex County Council are both being replaced by a new unitary authority, although a confirmed date and structure is still uncertain.
A full list of what is on offer was debated at the meeting with councillors noting that none of the assets provided an income for Rye. “We need a car park as that’s where the revenue is,” said Councillor Rivett. “We are being pushed into a ridiculous timeframe by Rother.”
Rye had until this Friday 12 December to express an interest in taking on Landgate Tower, Rye cemetery, Station Approach toilets, Cricket Salts (excluding Bedford Place toilets), the Fair and Town Salts (not including the car park and conveniences at Lucknow Place), Mason’s Field and the Kings Avenue play area.
Councillors voted to explore how Rye could take ownership of all the assets on Rother’s list, with the exception of Landgate Tower. “It is one of Rye’s iconic landmarks but it has been neglected by Rother for years,” said Councillor Fiddimore. “Somebody has to look after it, but we can’t.”
“The public told us they wanted us to take on the toilets and green spaces,” said Councillor Hughes, referring to a recent survey. “I don’t think anyone mentioned the Landgate. We just don’t have the ability to generate the funds it needs.”
“Rother have done nothing with it for years,” said Councillor Rivett. “We cannot afford it and there is no funding available – we’ve looked. Strike it off the list!”
At the meeting, Rye Town Council also requested the access road to the Cricket Salts should be added to the asset register for potential transfer.
Councillors heard how Rye Chamber of Commerce and the council’s working group were bidding for funding for a feasibility study into refurbishing or replacing the Station Approach public toilets.
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .