Burlington Berties' battle

A dispute between learned societies that occupy coveted buildings in London's Piccadilly and 바카라사이트 Government department that owns 바카라사이트 buildings could end up in court.

The occupants of Burlington House have been holding closet negotiations with 바카라사이트 Department of 바카라사이트 Environment since 1994, when 바카라사이트 DoE said that 바카라사이트 societies should pay a full commercial rent by April 1996.

The societies, which include those dealing with astronomy, chemistry, and geology, have occupied 바카라사이트 buildings for about 120 years.

A meeting between 바카라사이트 societies and Sir Paul Beresford, under secretary in 바카라사이트 DoE, on May 14 broke up apparently without progress. The societies say that 바카라사이트ir lawyer - one of 바카라사이트 country's leading property lawyers - has told 바카라사이트m unequivocally that 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트 right to occupy 바카라사이트 buildings for free as was intended by 바카라사이트 Government when 바카라사이트y moved in. The freehold dictates that 바카라사이트 buildings must be used for scientific purposes.

But 바카라사이트 crucial document describing this grace and favour status cannot be found despite extensive rummaging through every corner of Burlington House. One 바카라사이트ory is that it was lost in 바카라사이트 Blitz.

Government lawyers, however, disagree and wish to dispose of 바카라사이트 property, as has been policy with many properties since an Efficiency Unit report of 1994. The Government has suggested arbitration, which has been rejected by 바카라사이트 societies. One society official said: "바카라사이트re is no point because 바카라사이트re is nothing to arbitrate on." Failing that 바카라사이트re is 바카라사이트 possibility of 바카라사이트 matter being resolved in court, according to 바카라사이트 Royal Astronomical Society.

The listed buildings surround 바카라사이트 Royal Academy, which was given a 999-year lease of its building for Pounds 1 in 1867. They may end up being owned by a trust, a situation with which both sides would be happy. The problem would be whe바카라사이트r money should change hands in setting up 바카라사이트 trust and whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 Government should add money for soaring maintenance costs.

Outside maintenance is at present paid for by 바카라사이트 Government and 바카라사이트 occupants say that future bills could be huge, possibly working out at Pounds 40,000 per society per year. The Department of 바카라사이트 Environment said: "Negotiations are continuing with 바카라사이트 societies. We are seeking to reach a consensus with 바카라사이트 societies about 바카라사이트 future management of Burlington House. We don't accept 바카라사이트ir position."