TOWN councillors are being asked if they want to start negotiations to take ownership of the Wellington Park keeper’s home in the award-winning Edwardian gardens.

The lodge was not transferred to the town authority when Somerset Council devolved ownership of the grade two listed 4.5-acre park last year.

Town chief executive Dave Farrow said the unitary authority at that time had let the property to a tenant.

But, Mr Farrow sad it had been agreed that once the lodge became vacant the town council would be given first refusal on taking on its ownership.

He said in a report going to Monday’s (September 7) town council meeting: “We have now been advised that the property is vacant and so the council needs to decide how it wishes to proceed.

Mr Farrow recommended councillors should open discussions with Somerset Council with a view to developing a proposal on whether or not to take ownership of the lodge and, if so, how it might be used

He said if they did, surveyors should be commissioned to enable a proper assessment of the risks and opportunities associated with taking on ownership.

The work would include a feasibility study to identify strengths, weaknesses, and limitations for alternative uses such as a café, and provide budget cost estimates for the required work.

The feasibility would look at relevant planning records and infrastructure available at the property, and assess them alongside the practicalities of a conversion.

The cost of the survey work would be slightly more than £3,000, most of which could be met from the council’s professional services budget.

Mr Farrow said: “The main risk of not taking this initial step is that the council may lose the opportunity to influence the future of the lodge or to secure a use that supports the wider public value of Wellington Park.

“There is also a risk that the building remains vacant for longer than necessary, with potential deterioration, increased maintenance issues, and reduced community benefit.

“Commencing discussions does not commit the council to taking ownership, but it allows the council to understand the condition, liabilities, opportunities, and possible uses of the property before any final decision is made.

“Not carrying out the full suite of surveys would increase the risk that the council makes a decision without a complete understanding of the lodge’s condition, repair liabilities, insurance reinstatement requirements, and feasibility for alternative uses.

“This could lead to unidentified costs, unsuitable future use proposals, or the council taking on financial and operational liabilities that could have been identified before any decision on ownership is made.”

Mr Farrow said the proposal met the town council’s vision and the Wellington Place Plan by enabling councillors to explore whether a vacant public-sector asset could be used to support community benefit, protect the setting and heritage value of the park, and contribute to wider place-shaping priorities.

Wellington Park was gifted to the town by the Fox family in 1903 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward.