Land offer - what should I do?

[taff]

can you rent out the rooms as studios or something for local crafts/regular craft fair?

[veggiechicken]

A local artist would like one of the outbuildings but most of the rooms are those little study bedrooms - just enough space for a single bed and washbasin.
Someone else would like to run a daytime respite centre. We have earmarked another outbuilding - a sports hall - for youth boxing and badminton, maybe bowls. Can't do anything like 5 a side because of the asbestos in the roof!
We have alternative therapists who may be interested in a couple of rooms but there is nothing that brings in regular money to pay the overheads.
Its such a good opportunity but we just can't attract a big user.
Its not even an attractive old building - its a horrible, flat roofed thing. Solar panels on the roof are a possibility if the roof is strong enough but with the reduced level of Feed in tariff, that is less attractive.
Wish I could think of something!!

[Nicos]

My 2 concerns would be who is going to pay for the public liability insurance.
Also- it's on a floodplain? how often does it flood? I don't think i'd want to invest time - and money -into a plot which regularly floods nor be in charge of a building which floods .

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Nicos. The insurance is one of the major unknowns as the site is insured by the Council as part of their County-wide insurance.
As for the floodplain, the land and buildings have never flooded as far as I know. To flood, the tide would have to be so high that it swept away the mainline Paddington-Fishguard railway line and embankment. In the 60s some bungalows were built on the floodplain further north and the owners say that at high tide their carrots float out of the ground, ready washed!
By designating the land as floodplain it prevents redevelopment and reduces its overall value to an investor, so its likely to be quite cheap at auction.

[Glutton4...]

Pah! They build on flood plains round here. So, where does the flood-water go now??? Huh!? I often wonder if anyone with a brain-cell gave it a moment's thought... But, best I don't get started on that particular topic...

I think you should do it! The Hostel idea sounds good.

[alldigging]

A youth hostel with local crafts centre would be amazing but you need to find someone who would love to run a youth hostel as a business ...
Can you convince the local press to run a story about the potential to see if it'll shake anyone out of the woodwork?

[Seahorse]

I can see that it could be a great opportunity but on a purely personal level, the potential amount of work and hassle would horrfiy me. As you've said, you have better things to do with your retirement. Although others might be disappointed, that's not YOUR fault

[Bigmallly]

Have no idea if it would generate the income needed but could it be let out as storage facilities? They charge a fortune round here if you want to put something in storage.

[veggiechicken]

That's a good idea, BigM, no-one has come up with that before. Only problem is this is a rural area and there are lots of barns and suchlike.
Keep these alternative uses coming, please!

[Bigmallly]

Not sure if there is anything of use here:

Uses for Empty Manufacturing Buildings | eHow.com

[veggiechicken]

I've come to a decision (for now anyway!) I just don't have the time to commit to a major project and I doubt that anyone else on the Committee does either. So unless someone else comes along, with a business background to run it, I'm out.
This morning, the first with sunshine, when I intended to garden, has not quite gone according to plan - but they never do!
My neighbour was taken to hospital by ambulance so a bit of sorting to do there, I've discussed and examined another neighbour's worn bushes (car) and put the world to rights over coffee, and inspected yet another neighbour's newly fitted kitchen.
Now its time for sitting in the sun with a sarnie and deciding what not to do next!
Thanks for all your advice and for acting as a sounding board. I do appreciate it

[bradlo]

An excellent decision, I think V C
Although I know nothing of your circumstances, the project sounded like a mammoth undertaking ,even IF you had an active, supportive group aiding you...and as soon as the word "Asbestos" comes into play, you are talking very serious complications...enjoy your garden/retirement...and give yourself time for answering all my inane gardening questions on this forum !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( not that I am selfish!!!)

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Bradlo! If you like inane answers to inane questions, I'm your girl!

[Bigmallly]

There was only one outcome in my mind.........OMG, hope you can't read minds amongst your many hidden talents........

[veggiechicken]

I never reveal whether I can read minds or not. Its my little secret!
You didn't really think that, did you?

PS I should add that we have considered running a br*th*l.