News

COUNCILLOR'S PERSONAL VIEW ON LEISUREDROME PLANS ROW

Following the recent press coverage of the support in some quarters to fight the Parish Council's decision to try and sell the Spitfire Leisuredrome with planning permission, Parish councillor Keven Avery has  personally written to Shepway planning officer Jon Barnes.

He says that as far as he is aware,  "it is the parish councils intention to sell this building with or without planning permission, however if planning permission is not granted a reduced sale price will be achieved resulting in limited funds to be injected into youth projects."

Printed below is the complete letter and enclosures.

Mr Jon Barnes 
Planning Officer
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone CT20 2QY

16 November 2006

Dear Sir 

RE: Spitfire Leisuredrome, Aerodrome Road, Hawkinge, Kent

I refer to the planning approval being reported back to the development control committee on the 21st November 2006 and now confirm a summary of my personal views as a councillor for the Hawkinge Parish.

1. At the monthly meetings I have attended when the leisuredrome has been discussed, at every meeting when a decision was made regarding the sale of the leisuredrome premises, a majority vote for the sale was always agreed.

2. As far as I am aware it is the parish councils intention to sell this building with or without planning permission, however if planning permission is not granted a reduced sale price will be achieved resulting in limited funds to be injected into youth projects. 

3. At present I am involved within the parish council working groups and confirm that we are in discussions with the football association for match funding to construct a new pavilion. Plans and specification have been completed, we have attended an initial meeting with the FA and have arranged a further surgery in January 2007 in order to obtain the necessary funds. Within the village we are also looking at two multi sports areas for which we have contacted three companies, obtained quotations and layout designs (see enclosed plan) and are also looking hopefully in the future at ways in which the youth can be more involved at the community centre.

4. I have examined the minutes over the past two years and enclose herewith the approved minutes of the meeting held on the 10th August 2005 in the village hall. Item 155(b) and a report from Cllr Peter Hogben confirms the reasons for disposal which I trust is self-explanatory.

5. I confirm I have visited the site this week and enclose herewith photographs of the internal and external of the building. As is evident from the photos there is an on-going problem with damp within the building due to the construction. Toilets are incomplete, and even though a gas supply appears to be run to the building the building has no heating and no boiler is evident. An approximate cost just to install heating to the building will be in excess of £ 10,000. The electrics and fire alarm also require extensively upgrading and these ongoing costs cannot be borne by the parish council.

I trust the enclosed information is of some assistance to your good self when the committee re-convene.


Yours faithfully

Cllr Keven J Avery


Encs:

Hawkinge Parish Council Minutes 10.08.05
Finance Group Meeting Report by Cllr Peter Hogben
Photographs as at 13.11.06
Extracts from the Hawkinge Parish Council Minutes 2002-2006

Hawkinge Parish Council Minutes 10.08.05

Click for minutes

Finance Group Meeting Report by Cllr Peter Hogben

HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL

July 2005

Finance Group.

Consideration of development of future village facilities has been made by the Finance Group of the Parish Council with an emphasis on providing for sport and meeting places for young people.

Opinion had been given as advice to the Group by people professionally involved in youth work.

The village is now well catered for by the Community Centre and the sports field at the Access road which is currently being developed alongside the established Cricket Club.

The result of an earlier survey of village residents had suggested there is a demand for other sports such as, for example, tennis, hockey and a golf driving range.

Costs of provision is a major item. Negotiations are currently in being with the Football Association to provide a grant of funds as part payment for development of existing football pitches with, as soon as possible, a new pavilion.

It was emphasised by people previously working with young people that they will prefer to use facilities as they require and not as 'adults dictate'. Also; that 'fashion' changes and any facility provided should be able to change with it. .

The Group discussed in considerable depth the following matter and came to conclusions: There has over recent times been a suggested possibility of using the old RAF Gymnasium in Aerodrome Road, known as the Leisuredrome, as a sports hall and youth club.

The Finance Group concluded that this option was not the best means of furthering facilities within the village and that young people deserved better. Consideration was given to arguments earlier presented that the building should remain as being the only one from the time of RAF use. It was concluded that the building had changed significantly from its original appearance and that ex airfield buildings at the Museum met this point of view of preservation of local history.

The Leisuredrome building is old and would require continual spending on upkeep to keep it in being.

Heating of the building, due to its high roof, was likely to be very costly.

The Leisuredrome as a youth club is not best placed as being too far for young people from other parts of the village to reach. It is hoped that facilities could be provided more centrally.

Noise factors were considered as it is reasonable to assume that loud music should be expected as part of use of a facility for youth. The Leisuredrome is close to residential property which could lead to complaint.

Note was made of a recent poll conducted by the Hawkinge Gazette which showed a total of 356 votes having been made. The 'Demolished' option received the most votes followed by 'Renovated'.

The group concluded that it would recommend to the Parish Council that the land be disposed of and the proceeds devoted to further facilities for the village with an emphasis on provision for youth.

PH

Photographs as at 13.11.06

The exterior of the Leisuredrome
Broken windows	Damp walls
Cllr Smith's replica of HMS Victory	Unfinished toilets
Damp walls and floors

Extracts from the Hawkinge Parish Council minutes 2002-2006


Parish Council meeting December 2002
It was agreed in principle that once the Hawkinge Youth and Community sports Council Trust had been set up it would lease the Spitfire LD hall only at a peppercorn rent.

Parish Council meeting February 2003
Cllr Smith presented copies of Business Plan entitled
Youth Facilities in Hawkinge

Parish council meeting April 2003
Youth facility project
Cllr Smith said he was waiting for a possible sponsor asked for plan to be deferred to next meeting

Parish Council meeting May 2003
Youth Facilities Project - LD
Cllr Smith not at the meeting to present his plan
Item deferred to next meeting

Parish Council meeting July 2003
Youth Facilities Project LD
Cllr Smith said he needed to update his proposals
Deferred to September meeting

Parish Council meeting September 2003
Youth Facilities project LD
Cllr Smith not at the meeting to report progress.

Extraordinary Meeting October 2003
The Council confirmed its decision made in December 2002
In principle to set up a lease once the Trust had been set up

Parish Council meeting December 2003
Hawkinge Youth & Community Sports Council
Reported -Charity now registered

Parish Council meeting February 2004
It was resolved that the Chairman be empowered to draw up a lease

In June 2004 a letter was sent to the Hawkinge Youth & Sports Council about the slow progress in signing the lease

Parish Council meeting May 2005
HY and CSC lease. re Leisuredrome
The Chairman Stated negotiations had been taking place for over a year, and he was still unable to present a lease to the Council
It was resolved that as it had proved to be impossible to come to agreement whereby the lease could be signed by both parties involved, The Parish council forthwith withdraw the offer of a lease on the premises to the Hawkinge Youth and CSC
Prop Cllr Hogben Sec Cllr Punnett
Votes all in favour

Parish Council meeting June 2005
Spitfire LD
It was resolved that the council refer the future of the Spitfire LD to the Finance Group
Votes for 6 against 0 abs 2

Parish Council meeting August 2005
Recommendation from Finance group that the LD be disposed of and proceeds devoted to further facilities for the village with an emphasis on provision for the youth
It was resolved that the Council would get a valuation of the building and land before a final decision is made For 4 against 0 abs 2

Parish Council meeting November 2005
Disposal of Land
It was resolved that the council apply for outline planning permission for residential use
For 7 against 2 abs 0
It was also resolved that subject to legal advice the sale be by formal tender
Prop Cllr Hogben sec Cllr Heasman For 7 against 2 abs 0

Parish Council meeting February 2006
Sale of Leisuredrome site
The Chairman stated that there had been offers to purchase the site

Parish Council meeting May 2006
Application received:- Y06/0497/SH Spitfire Leisuredrome outline application for residential development following demolition of LD

Parish Council meeting September 2006
Disposal of Leisuredrome
Still no decision by SDC regarding planning application
A letter had been received to purchase the land without planning permission
It was proposed that the Council reaffirm its decision to sale the land
It was resolved that the PC would dispose of the LD Votes For 5 against 2

SDC Development Control Committee 10th October 2006
Planning permission be granted subject to applicant entering into a S106 legal agreement
Voting For 8 Against 3 abs 0