Press Statement issued on Friday 19th February 2010 to Northampton Chronicle & Echo, to clarify the current situation of the charity, Friends of Delapre Abbey

19th February 2010 

While press and news coverage of 'tea drinking' has made entertaining reading, Friends of Delapre Abbey (FoDA) trustees would like to clarify their understanding of FoDA's future occupation and use of premises at Delapre Abbey.

The original news item, which appeared in Friday's (12th February) Chronicle & Echo, discussed the agreed retrospective planning consent for the Tea Rooms at Delapre Abbey and a new cafe area outside of the walled garden in the existing car park.  Restrictions regarding no future use of the walled garden by the Friends of Delapre Abbey (FoDA) were also mentioned.  These restrictions have been in place since 1st November 2009.

The Friends of Delapre Abbey trustees were offered a 5 year lease agreement on 16th December 2009.  Conditions of the lease offer include 'no use of the walled garden' and new planning permission to be sought outside of the walled garden area for the café tables and chairs.  The lease offer further states that if the agreement is not signed by mid March the Friends of Delapre Abbey would be subject to an eviction notice with effect from 31st March 2010.  The eviction notice was issued in conjunction with the lease offer.

The Friends of Delapre Abbey trustees have requested from Northampton Borough Council their reasons for restricting FoDA's use of the walled garden, a public facility which FoDA works hard to help maintain, but to date have not received a response.  FoDA would welcome clarification from Northampton Borough Council as this would assist the charity with its future planning.

Comments in the press this week confirmed the public's deep affection for Delapre Abbey and value they place in the importance of the facilities offered; this groundswell of support has heartened FoDA members and volunteers. 

FoDA's focus remains the public accessibility and preservation of this important local amenity, and we are therefore pleased to confirm that Northampton Borough Council have given their permission with effect from noon, Monday 15th February, for us to continue offering visitors refreshments served within the walled garden.

Both NBC and Friends of Delapre Abbey continue to negotiate the terms of the present 5 year lease offer and hope to announce shortly the successful agreed outcome.