THE future of the Greig Hall in Alcester has been decided following a three-day hearing at the High Court in Birmingham.
Stratford District Council has been granted a vesting order, which will see the site transferred to them in a full and final settlement.
Under the terms of the Court Order the property, which closed in 2013, should transfer to the district council on January 31, 2020.
Stratford District Leader Councillor Tony Jefferson said: “This is fantastic news and testament to the expert team of officers and legal team who have been working on this case so diligently.
“This has been a concern to the district council for a number of years and we have been working with the Greig Trustees to try and find a way to resolve the difficult situation that existed around the hall and the Lifestyles building.
“We look forward to working with the trustees to achieve a smooth handover for all users.
“With ownership of the site coming under the district council’s control we will be able to fulfil one of our corporate priorities which is to refurbish the Lifestyles Sports Hall at the Greig Centre as a priority.”
The authority has earmarked £500,000 for improvements to the Lifestyle building.
The Greig Hall centre was a gift made to the people of Alcester by businessman and philanthropist David Greig in memory of his late wife Hannah Susan Greig.
However, the council had been locked in a legal battle with the trustees after it announced plans last year to take over the hall. Residents had raised a petition calling for the hall to be re-opened for community use.
Previously the Greig trustees had said they had paid more than £250,000 in the last decade for repairs to the hall, which they were forced to close as it was no longer financially viable.
