Council serves Compulsory Purchase Order on Warwick’s medieval Leper Hospital

Warwick District Council is today serving a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on the owner of the site of the medieval Leper Hospital situated in the Saltisford area of Warwick.

A CPO is when a body or authority - in this case Warwick District Council - in certain circumstances have a Statutory Right to buy property or 'take a right over it'.

Comprising The Master’s House, St Michael’s Chapel and an Ancient Monument, the site has lain in ruins for decades with no definitive plans coming forward for its regeneration.

Following years of council and Historic England funded studies, plans and funding are now in place to regenerate the site.

However, the council said that the owner has not been prepared to sell the land at what the council considers to be a realistic amount.

Cllr John Cooke, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for development, said: "Although I’m disappointed that we’ve had to take this action, it is a very important step in ensuring that this part of Warwick’s heritage is protected and restored.

"I’m grateful for the support we’ve received from West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust and Historic England who will be our key partners in taking the project forward.”

The owner of the site now has 21 days to object to the Order with the matter ultimately being settled by the Secretary of State.