PLANS to turn Witney’s Langdale Hall into a museum have taken a step forward after the building was lodged as an Asset of Community Value.

But the move could delay the town council’s planned sale of the building to fund the revamp of the town’s Corn Exchange.

The decision gives community groups six months to say whether they want to buy the building, and a further six months to raise the £750,000 asking price for the hall.

Witney town councillor Roger Curry said: “It means potentially the sale of the Langdale Hall which was planned by the town council could potentially be put on hold for another six months while the museum try to raise the money to put forward an offer.”

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Mr Curry confirmed the council was already in the final stages of a deal to sell the building to a private buyer, and said it was unfortunate the museum campaign could not have come sooner.

He said: “It’s just a shame this change wasn’t made some months ago as it would have been a great deal easier.”

Mr Curry said the delay in the sale could cause the council to face a funding gap for the refurbishment of the Corn Exchange but insisted the revamped hall would open in May as planned.

Ian Petty, chairman of Witney Museum, said: “It’s very positive news but now the work starts.

“The district council has been amazingly helpful.

“When the town council has the opportunity to look at it I hope they will be equally positive. Then we will be looking to engage with the user groups and the community to take things forward.”

West Oxfordshire District Council announced its decision last Friday.

The Witney Museum committee wants to move the museum from its current High Street location to the Langdale Hall and transform it into a military museum.

 

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