Date Published 05 February 2015
According to a recent BBC article local council workers may never return to the fire-damaged offices after a suspected arson attack.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse offices in Crowmarsh Gifford were 85% gutted by a fire on 15 January. SODC Council leader John Cotton stated ‘We intend to take some time in considering the future of the Crowmarsh site'
Staff are working from home and out of temporary offices while the council secures a temporary office for up to three years. There are 250 staff working at Abbey House in Abingdon while others are working from Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot and The Beacon in Wantage
An assessment is due to be carried out on the building to see if repairs are viable or if the building will have to be knocked down and re-built. The council said it has roughly £4m business continuity cover, which will cover the additional costs caused by the fire.
The planning department was badly damaged and the council has asked people to resubmit proposals sent in via post or online after 13 January.
Mr Cotton stated ‘It's in a pretty poor state - it's pretty shocking inside - an assessment is being carried out to see if it's worth the time and effort to repair it."
