Public to be excluded from crucial Chesterfield Borough Council decision over future of Tapton House

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet is due to decide which of 17 bids received for Tapton House to accept in a meeting on Tuesday, December 13, which neither the public nor press will be allowed to attend.

The controversial move by the authority to offload the Grade II listed property has been met with significant opposition from members of the public, as well as a petition signed by more than 2,800 people.

Councillor Dean Collins, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The council is committed to finding the right individual or organisation with the financial ability to restore Tapton House and keep it in good repair and order while also respecting the property’s heritage value to the town and borough.

“On Tuesday, the council’s cabinet will consider a detailed report on the bids received and the process that has been followed to evaluate and score each against a range of relevant criteria. As the report contains the names of the 17 parties that have made bids together with specific information on the value and terms of their respective bids, the council’s cabinet will meet in private session to consider the report.

“In arriving at a final decision on this important matter, cabinet members will also take account of the many views that have been expressed and representations made at earlier council meetings, to which reference is made in the report.”

Friends of Tapton House (FoTH), a group set up to protect the property from sale, was among the bidders, with proposals for its use including a cafe, heritage centre and forest school.

A statement from the group said: "FoTH are naturally disappointed with the decision to exclude members of the public from what they deem ‘commercially sensitive’ on their agenda.

“We fundamentally disagree with CBC.

“This highlights the undemocratic process adopted by the council.

“They have not offered public consultation on the future of the house.

“They argue the land and property was paid in good faith and as a result can decide its destiny without consultation.

“They paid for the Tapton Estates with ratepayers’ money and we feel the electorate has every right to be consulted or at least permitted to attend the meeting on 13 December 2022 to hear or debate the outcome of bids received."

FoTH said in the event their bid was not successful they would be willing to work with and support the leaseholder and/or the council for the benefit of the community.

CBC plans to lease Tapton House for 999 years, which opponents argue is the same as selling it for a thousand years.