Godmanchester Landmark To Be Saved By Local Company

The former Crossing Keeper's Cottage in Bridge Place, Godmanchester - one of the town's most recognised landmarks - is to be given a new lease of life by a local company.

The cottage has been subjected to repeated vandalism in recent years and has fallen into disrepair.

Now new owners, Sureterm Direct, have been granted planning permission to convert the Grade II listed cottage to offices, restore all its original features and add a stunning glass extension to the building.

The plans will rejuvenate the entire plot of land around the cottage and were given full planning permission on December 17th 2007 by Huntingdonshire District Council.

Sue Hessom, General Manager of Sureterm Direct, said: "We are delighted with the council's decision which will enable us to transform the building into something of which Godmanchester can be proud.

Crossing Keeper's Cottage is a lovely building, but it had been allowed to fall into a complete state of disrepair and had simply become a playground for vandals.

We bought it in April and plan to restore the cottage to its original beauty. Our extension will create additional office space and all in all the structure and land around it, will be given a completely new lease of life."

Sureterm Direct is one of the UK's leading specialist insurance companies and employs 72 people at its offices at Bridge Place, opposite the Crossing Keeper's Cottage.

Over 72,000 valued policyholders have used the company since it was launched in the town in 1998.