Unanimous support for new £3.8 million Telford community centre

A former Telford parish council leader told planners that a new £3.8 million community centre “must proceed” despite concerns that local council tax payers will have to foot the bill.

John Yorke, past chairman of Lawley & Overdale Parish Council, told planning committee members of discontent that Dawley is getting a brand new swimming pool at no cost to that local council while the planned community centre at Bryce Way is being paid for by his former parish.

“Lawley residents were to have the facility at nil cost,” he said.

“Now the residents are having to totally finance its multi-million cost via a loan and possibly some grants, yet next door in Dawley work started this week on a £8 million swimming pool and project totally financed from capital monies.”

But he urged members of the planning committee to approve it because the current community centre in Arleston Lane is “of miniscule size, poorly heated, poorly ventilated, poor in every respect.

“The scheme must proceed,” he added. “It is the last chance saloon.”

Wednesday’s planning committee heard that planned community use of the school next door in Bryce Way would not be able to give the same as a purpose-built centre.

But planners told the meeting that this is still on the table in addition to the new centre by a planning condition.

“There is a condition for community use in the school and sports pitches,” the committee was told by a planning officer. “It hasn’t been discharged yet but this does not mean it won’t come forward as well.”

Lawley and Overdale Parish Council is the applicant and members of it spoke in favour.

Councillor Zona Hannington, a member of Lawley & Overdale Parish Council and a part of the borough’s Labour cabinet said it is “essential infrastructure” for the area, would create six jobs and that local organisations “need space now.”

Councillor Hannington said that “funding is not relevant to the planning decision” and that a community centre “can’t be at the school.”

Parish council chairman Mark Boylan, who is also a Labour borough councillor, said residents had been consulted at “every stage”.

“There is a robust business plan, it is needed in the area.

“We explored all the options.”

Planning committee member Councillor Stephen Handley (Labour, St George’s) who manages the Belmont Community Hall in Wellington, said there is a need for such spaces in the borough.

“I have to turn more people away than I accept,” he said.

But he added that 7.30am is “a bit too early” for activities to start.

Councillor Thomas Janke (Liberal Democrats, Newport South) wanted clarity on hours of operation.

Planning officials said 7.30am was “suggested to be in line with school times” but they can impose conditions.

Councillor Nigel Dugmore (Conservative, Muxton) said having such an early start 52 weeks of the year with would be “a bit harsh” on residents.

“It is hardly surprising residents have put in objections to this application,” he said.

A petition against the plan was also submitted to the council from 48 addresses, with 14 objections submitted to the borough council.

No members of the public were at the meeting to express their opposition, which was noted by councillors.

When it came to the vote, the committee unanimously supported the proposal subject to conditions.

Parish council documents reveal that local Band D council taxes in the parish will rise by about 44p a week to help the project proceed. The money will be needed to pay off a 40-year loan with an annual fixed rate of £263,113 per annum.