Conversion of Belle Vue House, Sudbury may be only solution

Vacant since 2016, a new application has been made by period property specialists McCabe & Abel to turn the former council office site into two private homes.

If approved, the house would be divided in half to form one five-bedroom and one three-bedroom house, which the developer believes would secure the future of the building.

While there is some disappointment that the house would not be open to the public, the Belle Vue Action Group hopes the sale will fund improvements to the council-owned park. 

Polly Rodger Brown, spokesperson for the campaign group, said: "Richard Abel has a history of restoring old houses. It is good that the developer would be someone with this experience.

"We had a dream to turn it into a community centre which hasn't happened, and I think we are all slightly disappointed by that, but in general we are pleased that things are moving forward.

“We are hopeful and optimistic the plans for the park will incorporate our long-held desire to have the park front opened up.

"Our mission would be complete. A public park should belong to the people of Sudbury.”

Richard Abel from McCabe & Abel said: "I have been working and speaking with the action group and generally they seem very supportive of our clear plan for the restoration and saving of the heritage asset. 

"I conducted a tour with many members in attendance, and invited the Sudbury Society for a tour and discussion and they indeed seem supportive to save the building for the future with this application.

"The granting of residential permission is the only forever solution to save the house. In a hundred years time, two families will still be living and enjoying this beautiful building.

"Unfortunately, commercial business come and go, as we have all seen of the years on every high street, but much-needed family homes are needed in town centres, and I hope for the building's sake that this application is successful."