The purchase of the Bath Grounds by Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has finally been completed.

The deal means the Town Council - and the people of Ashby and Blackfordby - now own the Bath Grounds.

Last January, the Full Council agreed to complete a 'once-in-a-lifetime' deal to buy the Bath Grounds - with a £620,000 purchase in place to secure the historical open space 'for the people of the town'.

But there had been frustration that contracts had remained unsigned by the the Royal Hotel owner, Simon Dawson, that would allow the Bath Grounds purchase to finally go ahead.

Now however, the completed transaction means the Bath Grounds is effectively separate from the revised planning application for the development of the Royal Hotel site - which was given planning permission by North West Leicestershire District Council last month.

That is for 17 town house properties to be built around the empty hotel which is currently undergoing the first phase of its redevelopment.

The purchase of the Bath Grounds by the Town Council was completed at 4pm yesterday (Tuesday).

Chris Smith, Leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, said: "This is fantastic news for the town.

"It is a tribute to all those who campaigned to protect the Bath Grounds when they were under threat from new housing; to those who have worked hard, both Town Council staff and volunteers, to maintain the Bath Grounds and all the residents of the town who have, through their council tax, enabled the purchase to go ahead."

"I also want to thank our Town Clerk, Jack Fargher, and the Town Council's legal adviser, Ian Riley (Director & Head of Commercial Property at Fishers Solicitors), for all their advice, guidance and hard work over many years in negotiating the deal with Oakland Hotels."

Ownership of the Bath Grounds protects them from further development and allows longer term plans to be put in place.

The Town Council said in a statement issued today (Wednesday) that it is committed to improving and enhancing the Bath Grounds for the benefit of everybody and would welcome suggestions and ideas from the people of Ashby.

It added that the council will also investigate ways to ensure the Bath Grounds are protected for future generations whatever the make-up of the Town Council.

The Town Council statement says: "Not only has the Town Council purchased the Bath Grounds, but it has also ensured that the money will be used to start the re-development of the Royal Hotel.

"Re-developing the hotel is a very big project that will take many years, but very soon you should see scaffolding going up so that the hotel roof can be repaired to protect the integrity of the building."