News

An appeal following the rejection by Shepway District Council of an application for outline planning permission for the Spitfire Leisuredrome, has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

Hawkinge Parish Council were keen to sell the building but the outline plans was thrown out because the district council felt it would result in the loss of community facilities.

Shepway wanted to ensure alternative facilities would be made available, or that there was no longer a need for the building and it was unsuitable for conversion to community of social use.

In the appeal decision, the Inspector noted that the Leisuredrome ceased to be used for recreation in 2003, following the opening of the Hawkinge Community Centre.

But some residents are critical that the Community Centre has failed to provide the necessary sports and social activities.

Although the Community Centre has two multi-purpose halls, the report says the centre, "As it is run and set up, has material drawbacks. Nobody at the Hearing disagreed that it is run with far less than full exploitation of its physical and social potential."

The Inspector, C J Hoile wrote: "I was told that the good shower and changing facilities installed since the opening in 2003 have never been used."

He said that some form of planning commitment was necessary for a good long term planning outcome for the residents.

The document concludes that there is another unresolved application for residential development on the site dated 22 June 2007, and that time does exist for a satisfactory planning obligation to be drawn up.

He states, "I can envisage no other planning circumstance that would lead the council to refuse the second application."

What do you think?

Should the Community Centre provide the village with more sports and leisure facilities?