Ipswich County Hall up for auction: What is it used for?
In the heart of Ipswich lies County Hall - a Grade II listed building that has acted as a prison, court and council headquarters over the decades.Built in 1837 on St Helens Street, the Tudor style building once even hosted divorce proceedings of Wallis Simpson in 1936, allowing Edward VIII to marry her after he renounced his throne.In recent years, it has fallen into disrepair and been vacant since 2004 despite plans to turn the building into flats.The hall is now up for auction - but how significant is the building's history, and what could a successful sale mean?
What is the history of County Hall?
The main structure of the former County Hall dates back to the start of the 20th Century, although some parts date back to 1837, and one small section to 1786.It originally served as a prison and a law court, it became a council building from 1906.It was designed by William McIntosh Brooks, who wanted its appearance to reflect the justice administered within.Years later, the building became home to Suffolk County Council after its formation in 1974.In 2003, however, the council looked to move its 1,300 workers to new headquarters.The following year it did and moved into Endeavour House on Russell Road. County Hall has remained vacant ever since.
Wallace Simpson's divorce
The building played a key part in a royal abdication incident in the 1930s.Wallis Simpson was an American socialite who first married Ernest A. Simpson, an American-born Brit, in 1928.However, soon after she met the then-Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, and the pair fell in love.Intent on marrying the royal, Mrs Simpson divorced Mr Simpson - a challenging process for women at the time - with the proceedings held at County Hall in 1936. Edward VIII had since become king and announced their plan to marry, but she was deemed an unacceptable prospective queen due to now being twice divorced.Instead, the King renounced his throne in December 1936 so they could marry.In a radio broadcast, he said: "I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love."His brother Albert took the throne instead and was named George VI, with his daughter, the late Queen Elizabeth II, taking the throne after his death in 1952.
What has happened since 2004?
County Hall fell into a state of disrepair after the county council vacated the property. Over the years, it then attracted unsuccessful proposals to transform it in the likes of a new registry office, homes and an archive centre.In 2012, the Victorian Society, a charity which campaigns to preserve Victorian and Edwardian structures, named it an endangered building.It described County Hall as a "haunt of vandals, thieves, drug users and squatters" and while it was "designed to instil awe" it instead "inspires pity and anger". Ipswich Borough Council said the owner, Rainbow Developments, had promised to start working on securing the building "straight away" following this.In 2018, fresh plans were made to convert the building into 40 new flats, but urgent repairs were needed first. Two years later, these plans were approved.However, a year ago, it emerged that the developers did not have planning permission after a legal agreement between them and the council had not been signed.Once back up for a decision, councillors unanimously approved the plans, subject to conditions.
The auction
In recent weeks, it emerged County Hall would now be up for auction.The planning permission for the flats remains in place for whoever is successful in the auction, and a guide price of £895,000 has been given by Savills.County Hall will be auctioned from 09:00 BST by remote bidding only through Savills.If there is a successful sale, it will ultimately be down to the new owner whether or not they carry through with plans to turn the building into new flats.If they do, it would likely be some months before any work started.
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