Homes plan for old youth centre land (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Homes plan for old youth centre land
11:20am Monday 28th January 2013 in News
PLANS: Penelope Morgan urged residents to buy the land.
PLANS for four houses on land near Malvern’s former youth centre have been slammed by campaigners who fought to save it.
Worcestershire County Council has launched a public consultation over plans for the houses off Albert Road North.
When the centre was threatened with closure, Malvern Community Collective took it over and renamed it Malvern Cube.
But the county council kept part of the land and campaigners urged it to preserve the green space for recreational use.
Julian Roskams, of the group, said: “The land has been enjoyed by generations for recreational, sporting, leisure, cultural, educational and environmental purposes.
“We call upon the county council to think again.
And we call on those standing for election to the county council to commit to supporting our campaign and, should they be elected, to pledge to work to reverse the county council’s plans.”
Local county councillor Penelope Morgan, who led the campaign against development and urged residents to buy the land last year, said: “The county council is looking for every penny it can find, but we need to remind people that once this land is gone, it’s gone forever.
We need green lungs like this in the centre of the town.”
County council cabinet member David Thain said: “The council has a responsibility to make best use of its assets, particularly with the tough economic climate. The development will provide us with a valuable capital receipt, which can be used to fund other projects.
“We are working hard to achieve the right balance by retaining a valuable community resource in the Malvern Cube while seeking permission for a small and carefully-considered development.
“We are liaising closely with local residents and other stakeholders.”
Planning consultant Drivers Jonas Deloitte is carrying out the consultation and has posted letters to neighbours.
Anyone who wants to make their views known can contact Albert Road North Consultation, c/o Christopher Moore, Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Four Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HZ, or 0121 695 5704 or chrmoore@djdeloitte.co.uk by Tuesday, February 6.
Comments(2)
pudniw_gib
says...
6:11pm Mon 28 Jan 13
It is next to a busy community centre that is also a noisy youth centre. It is also a previously fairly well used bit of green space, bmx track, and events have been held on it in the past, I have played a gig on the green,, it also has a large pond that hopefully is attracting wildlife.
How the council can think it is ok to sell it for housing is beyond me!
THE FACTS says...
4:44pm Mon 28 Jan 13
WHY THEN DOESNT IT SELL OFF THE EMPTY UNUSED BUILDINGS THAT IT AND THE PCT OWN.
PAYING TO MAINTAIN THEM OR LEAVING THEM TO ROT(OFTEN A POPULAR CHOICE) BOTH COST MONEY. JUST SELL AT A MARKET PRICE AND SIMPLIFY THE COUNCILS PROPERTY ASSETS. DONT WAIT FOR BETTER SALE PRICES... IT WILL BE YEARS.