The Regional Development Agency conditionally handed over the redbrick buildings at the Morland site to the Red Brick Building Group on October 30. This group of local artists and entrepreneurs who want to turn the derelict buildings into studios and workshops grew out of a sit-in at the site in January 2009 (Newsletter 127) that thwarted the RDA’s plan to demolish it.

  The condition is that “the group must adhere to its own deadlines of securing funding and planning consent for the first phase of the project in time to start work on site by December 30 2010, then complete the first phase by June 30 next year”.

  The RDA will be abolished in 2012, so it has to allow enough time to sell the site if the group fails to deliver.

The press release from the Regional Development Agency (RDA)

[Only the above summary was in the printed newsletter]

South West RDA agrees way forward with Red Brick Building Group     05 October 2010

  With the impending closure of the RDA in 2012, and the Government’s forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review next month, the RDA does not envisage having any further funding for Morlands after 31 March 2011.

  Elsewhere at the [Morland] site, the RDA has confirmed the transfer of Northover Mill to Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (Birt). The building will be refurbished to provide work space, which will be rented to appropriate local organizations such as start-up businesses or charities in the area, and meeting facilities that will be hired out to the community.

  Land at Wearyall Hill, which is on the opposite side of the road [from] Morlands, has also been transferred to Glastonbury Town Council this month. The aim is to improve the landscaping and horticulture and provide an attractive entrance to the town.

  [This was followed in June by an announcement that the Conservative government would cut the RDA’s budget for this financial year by a further nearly £28m. —Ed.]