A group set up to preserve a historic North Hamilton home has appealed to the Government to lease it the property at a peppercorn rent.

Duncan Simons, an architect, hoped the lease would give the group time to raise funds and buy Wantley on Princess Street.

The house, which played a key role in the formation of the Berkeley Institute, is derelict and was scheduled for demolition.

Mr Simons, of pressure group Wantley Matters, said: “The key thing is that we can enter into a formal agreement to provide long term security so that we can fundraise.”

He said the group had put forward a proposal to the Government and hoped to have formal meetings about the future of the property.

Mr Simons added that the group would also have to apply for charitable status, which would allow it to enter into an agreement with the Government and fundraise.

He said further work would include a survey of the public on potential uses for the building, the hiring of architects and engineers to estimate costs and the engagement of a fundraising consultant before the launch of a formal campaign.

Mr Simons said: “Wantley is a building of such heritage and cultural significance that it must be preserved and used to connect current and future generations with our past, thereby fostering Bermudian senses of identity, community and place.”

Wantley was built in 1875 by Samuel Robinson.

Mr Robinson organised a meeting at his home four years later with six other men and established the Berkeley Educational Society to raise funds for a school for Black children in segregated Bermuda.

The Bermuda Housing Corporation bought Wantley in 2008 and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation early last year looked at use of the building as its headquarters.

But the house was damaged by a fire last December and a structural appraisal found that a “complete overhaul” – estimated to cost at least $1.2 million – would be needed.

BHC applied for permission to level the house in April, which was approved in May.

But several groups later united to appeal to the Government to reconsider.

Wantley Matters said last month that the Government had given the group until October 31 to submit a proposal.