The future of Burton's historic 108-year-old magistrates' court could become clearer in just weeks - with a housing scheme favourite for the grade-two-listed building.
The court, controversially closed in September 2016 due to Government cost-cutting measures, will be the subject of a heritage report which will recommend how the building can be reused.
It is understood that the report, which is being compiled by Government agency Homes England, will look at housing as a possible use. Commercial property agents GVA have been enlisted to market the Horninglow Street building.
The Burton Mail revealed last October that the court is to be sold on the open market more than a year after it closed under plans to save the Courts and Tribunals Service, which managed the court, £200,000 a year.
Now, any business or housing developer could take on the building, which could also be converted into flats or a restaurant.
Shortly after its closure, ownership of the court building was transferred from the Ministry of Justice to another Government body, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The HCA is responsible for disposing of sites such as the court with a view to speeding up their sale to help increase the supply of housing.
The HCA has now asked Homes England, which assists with delivering new affordable homes, to compile a heritage report.
A spokesman for the HCA said: "I can now confirm the latest on Burton Magistrates’ Court is that the site is currently being marketed for open market sale.
"I can confirm the property is being marketed for offers through GVA, commercial property agents.
"Homes England is also preparing a heritage report to support the marketing and assist in understanding how the building can be reused. This will consider alternative uses, which it is anticipated will include possible use for housing."
A spokesman for GVA confirmed that discussions were taking place with HCA.
The HCA previously confirmed it had taken over management of the court after the Burton Mail revealed following a Freedom of Information request that £104,000 had been "wasted" maintaining the empty premises for 12 months.
Campaigners against the closure of the court saw 2,000 people sign a petition to keep the building open, saying it marked the end of local justice for the town after more than 106 years, and disputed claims by the courts service that Burton's court had been underused.
The history of Burton Magistrates' Court
Opened in 1910, the court was designed by the architect Henry Beck, and built by the company Richard Kershaw and Sons.
While tourists and residents look upon the domed building outside in awe, it is the inside – with the very impressive magistrate's chair with Baroque styling based on the design of the Old Bailey - that needs to be seen to be believed.
A three-tonne foundation stone was laid by Alderman Charles Tresise (mayor of Burton) on May 24, 1909, a stone which still takes pride of place at the front of building.
The original building, once complete, housed one large courtroom measuring 40ft by 31ft and one smaller courtroom measuring 32 sq ft. There were also rooms built for the magistrates, the magistrates' clerks and the witnesses.
Despite the industrial landscape surrounding it, the Grade II listed court building still remains a landmark in the town. Many will have seen the large wooden door for the 'public' outside marking the original entrance, alongside the door for 'justices'.
Adjoining the court is the new and improved police station with the usual mess rooms and changing quarters as well as living quarters for 10 single constables. A mortuary was built along with kennels for stray animals and a 'lethal chamber' for animals which needed to be destroyed.
The police station was later replaced by the one seen today; it became operational in 1998. And despite a £400,000 extension to the court for another two courtrooms, Burton Magistrates' Court building would remain the same.
Its two-storey extension, in 1989, was expected to 'boost efficiency and relieve congestion for staff, solicitors and the public.' The building included a general office, extra courtroom and rooms for court officials and solicitors.
The project meant that staff would be able to handle accounts, fines, fees and maintenance payments within the new complex. With the closure of Tamworth Magistrates' Court in 2011, all cases were transferred to Burton – making it busier than ever.
However, instead of extending the court further, the courts and tribunals service closed it and invested more than £700 million to reform and digitise its courts across the UK to deliver swifter justice.
