Historic Crown Court hits market as part of Government closures

THE iconic Grade II listed Sessions House in Knutsford has been put up for sale by the Ministry of Justice.

The sale forms part of a consultation by Courts Minister Shailesh Vara, which is recommending the closure of underused and poor quality court and tribunal buildings.

Bilfinger GVA Manchester have been instructed to sell Sessions House, built in 1818 and designed by renowned architect George Moneypenny.

The building fronts Toft Road in the heart of Knutsford Town Centre and comprises 18,500 sq ft within a 0.82 acre site. In addition a car park fronts the building with space for up to 25 cars.

David Thwaites, associate, Bilfinger GVA, said: “The Sessions House offers a unique opportunity to own and become the guardian of an historical building within the heart of Knutsford Town Centre. In view of the buildings undoubted character and history coupled with its prominent location we are anticipating a high level of demand for a wide range of alternate uses.”

The Government is consulting on court buildings across the country, which it says represents 16% of hearing rooms across England and Wales, and are, on average, used for only a third of their available time – the equivalent to fewer than two out of five days in a week.

The majority of these courts are not used for at least two thirds of their available time, and one in three are not used three quarters of the time, the report says.

Accrington County Court;

Accrington Magistrates’ Court;

Altrincham County Court;

Bolton County Court and Family Court;

Bury Magistrates’ Court and County Court;

Kendal Magistrates’ Court and County Court;

Macclesfield County Court;

Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court;

Oldham County Court;

Oldham Magistrates’ Court;

Ormskirk Magistrates’ Court and Family Court;

Runcorn (Halton) Magistrates’ Court;

St Helens Magistrates’ Court and County Court;

Stockport Magistrates’ Court and County Court;

Tameside County Court;

Trafford Magistrates’ Court and Altrincham County Court;

Warrington County Court; and

West Cumbria Magistrates’ and County Court.

Shailesh Vara, said: “We are reforming the courts and tribunal service so that it meets the needs of modern day users.

“Access to justice is not just about attending court. As we bring in digital technology for better and more efficient access to justice, fewer people will need to physically be in a court.

“This means that we will need fewer buildings, and with many already underused and in poor quality, now is a good time to review the estate.”

Natalie Ceeney, Courts and Tribunals Service chief executive, commented: “Our estate is a significant asset. We currently have a number of surplus buildings and this consultation puts forward proposals on their future.

“As we modernise our service so that fewer people will need to attend a court in person, spending money on unsuitable or rarely used buildings is not good value for money for taxpayers.

“I encourage anyone with an interest to respond to the proposals”.

Alternative ways to access services will include using modern technology such as video conferencing to give evidence, and using other local civic and public buildings, such as town halls, for hearings, instead of underused and poorly maintained buildings.