Simpson Centre: Council agrees next steps for the site
Stotfold Town Council has confirmed how it will take forward the sale of the Simpson Centre; the former library, cafe and GP building on Hallworth Drive.
At the Full Council meeting on 2 September 2026, Members considered all the options that had been investigated including development of the site for senior living development. It was agreed at the meeting to sell the site on the open market with any proceeds from the sale going to fund improvements to the Memorial Hall and other community facilities. The Council has written to neighbours next to the site as preparations move forward, ahead of a wider update to all residents once marketing is underway.
A further report will come back to Full Council once the sale terms have been developed.
Have a question about the Simpson Centre?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below or contact [email protected]
Don't forget, all our council meetings are open to residents to raise questions. More information on meetings can be found Stotfold Town Council: Meetings
Simpson Centre: Frequently Asked Questions
What has been decided about the Simpson Centre?
At Full Council on 2 September 2026, Members resolved to sell the Simpson Centre on the open market. An agent has been appointed to prepare the site for sale.
Why is the Simpson Centre being sold?
The building has reached the end of its useful life. Keeping and refurbishing it would need substantial investment and ongoing maintenance costs, which would mean a higher council tax. Selling it allows the proceeds to be reinvested in other community projects instead.
Wasn't there a consultation on this? What happened to the results?
Yes. Residents were consulted in 2025 on options for the site, and the results informed the Council's decision. The results of the consultation can be found on Stotfold Town Council: Simpson Centre Consultation - The Result
Why sell on the open market rather than lease to a housing association?
The Council considered both routes and resolved to sell on the open market, which gives the best prospect of achieving the best price reasonably obtainable, as required under the Local Government Act 1972. Housing associations who expressed interest have been told of this decision and are able to bid for the site on the open market.
Will the site still be used for housing for older residents?
The Council's preference has been for the site to support housing for older residents, but a sale on the open market does not preclude this as an eventual use of the site. Any development will need to go through the normal planning process, and the Council does not control the outcome of that process once the site is sold.
What will happen to the money from the sale?
Because this is the sale of a capital asset, the proceeds can only be spent on capital projects, not day-to-day council tax spending. The Council's plan is to reinvest the proceeds with the Memorial Hall refurbishment as the main project, alongside improvements to play areas. Final allocation will be confirmed by Full Council once the sale proceeds are known.
Is the grassed area and access from Hitchin Road included in the sale?
Yes, the sale covers the Simpson Centre site, including its boundaries and access points. Any development will still need to go through the normal planning process, which is where matters like landscaping and access are considered in detail.
How many homes or units could be built on the site?
That depends on what a buyer proposes and what planning permission is granted. The Council doesn't control this once the site is sold; it will be a matter for the developer and Central Bedfordshire Council as planning authority.
Will there be enough parking? The site and the surrounding roads are already tight.
Parking provision is assessed as part of any planning application, and Central Bedfordshire Council will consider it alongside the site's constraints. Residents will have the usual opportunity to comment on any planning application when it's submitted.
What happens to the building while it's being marketed? Will it be secured?
The site remains the Council's responsibility until it's sold, and Officers will keep it secure in the meantime.
Will the Council still make sure a buyer can't just build houses with no benefit to Stotfold, like extra traffic or pressure on GP services?
Any development will go through the normal planning process, where things like infrastructure impact are assessed by Central Bedfordshire Council. The Town Council will respond to any planning application as a consultee, as it does for other developments in Stotfold.
If the site sells for more than expected because a buyer gets planning permission for more homes, does the Town Council benefit from that?
This is something the Council is taking legal advice on as part of preparing the site for sale, to make sure any agreement protects the Council's position.
Why wasn't 'keep it as a community space' seriously considered? Some of us said that in the survey.
It was one of the options in the consultation, and Members considered it carefully. Keeping the building would need a substantial upfront investment and ongoing running costs, which residents would ultimately pay for through council tax. The Council judged this wasn't a sustainable option, and used the sale proceeds to fund the Memorial Hall and other assets instead.
Will there be any more decisions or consultation on this?
A further report will come back to Full Council once sale terms are more developed, and residents will get an update at that point. The 2025 consultation covered the principle of whether to sell; this next stage is about how, which is an operational and commercial process rather than a further public consultation.
Will residents next to the site be told what's happening?
Yes. Officers have been speaking with residents and are keeping neighbours immediately next to the site informed as preparations for sale move forward, ahead of a wider update for the community.
How long will the sale take?
The agent has been instructed, but the timescale for a sale depends on the level of interest in the site once it's marketed. There's no fixed date yet.
How can I keep up to date?
Updates will continue to be posted on the Town Council website, in Stotfold News, and on the Council's social media.
Who can I contact with questions?
Contact the Town Council office on 01462 730064 or Stotfold Town Council: Contact Form