Suffolk County Council addresses state of the Dome in Mildenhall after vandalism and RAAC issues ahead of auction

A council has addressed the condition of a unique building which is up for sale and needs ‘significant refurbishment’ after it was vandalised.

The Dome in Mildenhall, a former sports hall and leisure centre, was closed to the public in June 2021 before it was named in a list of the most captivating heritage sites given listed status by Heritage England in December 2021.

It has been listed on Savills with an auction price starting at £25,000 and it goes on sale today.

SuffolkNews reported in August that community leaders had raised concerns over the ‘sorry state’ of The Dome which has a site area of about 0.44 hectares (1.10 acres).

The Grade II listed building is on the site of the former Mildenhall College Academy, which has stood empty since the school moved to the Mildenhall Hub in 2021.

Before it was listed, the Dome was meant to be demolished along with the rest of the school building and measures were taken to protect the building from vandalism, including the blocking up of all ground floor access routes.

However, despite regular checks at the site by police and security patrols, there have been ongoing problems including a number of break-ins.

It also became a spot for anti-social behaviour and a ‘hang out’ for children playing truant.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: “Unfortunately despite the measures that were taken, vandalism has occurred internally and the building is not currently in a usable state.

“As a result of these contributing factors, the property will require significant refurbishment, which is reflected in the guide price.

“There has been extensive internal damage caused following break-ins that have occurred since June this year and we are currently in the process of clearing the debris from these incidents including some that have happened recently.

“The site has previously been secured including openings blocked up and fencing around the building as well as at the entrance to the site.”

The spokesperson said a purchaser will be aware via the information provided of the constraints of the building including its grade II listing, community asset designation, the presence of faulty concrete RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) and the general condition.

The guide price of £25,000 was reflective of this, they added.

A report on the RAAC showed it is present in the ancillary parts of the building, including the squash courts and viewing area, but not in the main structure of the Dome.

The report highlights that the RAAC is at high risk for accessing the building and temporary propping of these areas is being put in place in response to the recommendations, which will enable safe access into the building but is a temporary measure.

In August, county councillor Lance Stanbury, who represents the Mildenhall division, said he would like to see the Dome sold to a developer, such as an extension to the Fiveways Roundabout service, on the provision that a new owner brought life back to the Dome to protect it for the future.

West Suffolk district councillor Andy Neal, who lives in Mildenhall, backed the idea of the Dome becoming a retail outlet, in particular a Lidl or an Aldi, as long as the building retained its uniqueness.