Former gardener's house Garth Lodge is to be let (From Oxford Mail)

Former gardener's house Garth Lodge is to be let

1:10pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Bicester

A HOUSE that used to be tied to the head gardener’s job at Bicester Town Council is expected to be let on the open market.

Town councillors approved a recommendation to look at letting out Garth Lodge.

The house is on the edge of Garth Park, off Launton Road.

Members were told it was estimated the house would generate between £8,400 and £9,450 a year in rent.

The move comes a few months after the council restructured its outdoor team and three people lost their jobs.

Among them was head gardener Brian Corcoran, who lived in the lodge and had worked for the council for 23 years.

The town council has been granted planning permission by Cherwell District Council to alter the front wall and railings outside the lodge to create an off-road parking space and access from Launton Road.

At the moment the lodge can only be approached from inside the park.

A report to councillors said: “As a result of the restructure of outdoor services teams in 2011-12, the role of head gardener and the associated relationship with the occupation of Garth Lodge has been severed.

“It has long been maintained by the council that the lodge should not be left empty.

“It is therefore suggested that the lodge be offered for short term residential letting, through a local letting agency.”

After the meeting last week, James Porter, chairman of the policy committee, said: “It will probably be short-term residential lets. The long-term use of the lodge has not been fully considered.

“What we don’t want is for the lodge to be left empty.”

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