Powys council selling library and toilets in 拢900,000 auction plan

Image source, Google

Image caption, The former library on Builth Wells High Street is up for auction for a second time

A library, public toilets and an outdoor education centre are up for sale as Powys County Council hopes to raise nearly 拢900,000 at auction.

Closure of the education facility, at Staylittle, near Llanidloes, in 2018, sparked a backlash from the community.

Other lots in the auction include a farm, two houses and some land.

Powys County Council valuer David Pritchard said an auction was seen as the most appropriate method of sale given the condition of the assets.

"Consideration has been given to the most appropriate聽mechanism of marketing and disposing of a number of property assets,聽many of which require modernisation聽and improvement," he said.

Auction also provided "the best opportunity to ensure that capital receipts are received before the end of the current financial year", he added.

Image caption, Staylittle outdoor centre near Llanidloes closed in 2018 despite some opposition

A similar auction of surplus Powys property in March raised 拢630,000, which was below the 拢750,000 the council had been hoping for.

The lots for sale include:

  • Staylittle outdoor pursuits centre - guide price 拢230,000
  • Residential development land at Cwmbach, near Glasbury-on-Wye - 拢210,000
  • A cottage in Howey with outbuildings and land - 拢200,000
  • Former library in Builth Wells - 拢100,000
  • A derelict farm and outbuildings at Llansilin聽-聽拢40,000
  • Former public toilets in Llandrindod Wells - 拢15,000
  • Four bedroom terraced house in Newtown - 拢80,000

The former Builth Wells library is up for sale for a second time, after the bidding failing to reach its reserve price in March.

The auction will take place in Llandrindod Wells on 31 October, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.