|
Sir
Margaret Quinlan writes at length (EADT Letters, January 24) about her opposition to the proposed new community facility adjacent to the Hadleigh Swimming Pool. Whilst I can appreciate the passion behind her critique – not least because she is a close neighbour of the proposed facility – I take issue with her arguments.
A joint working group of councillors and officers from Babergh, Hadleigh Town Council and the South Suffolk Leisure Trust who run the Hadleigh Pool have worked tirelessly to try to provide what, after extensive public consultation, appeared to be needed in Hadleigh in addition to the existing swimming pool.
We have addressed those identified needs which consist of a lack of a modern fully accessible public building, providing space for use by all ages of the local population, for meetings and for leisure at a cost of around £2m. This is what the working group chaired by myself signed off last summer and was approved by Babergh’s Strategy Committee as the most important capital project for the Council at a time when Local Government Review could mean the demise of Babergh together with all the other councils in Suffolk
While there are still hurdles to be surmounted, Babergh’s Development Committee did approve the planning application, despite the opposition of Mrs Quinlan. Because it was on land owned by the Council every effort was made to ensure the application was fully and properly dealt with.
Babergh has made every attempt to provide what it believes the local community want within a substantial but affordable budget. Indeed, a letter from a number of young people who are part of Suffolk Acting Youth explained that “there are several groups of young people who would benefit from a place to hold their meetings, gather socially and put on activities designed for all age groups”.
If it had been possible to build a replacement pool, it would have included the additional facilities we now plan alongside the existing pool. It will be a great pity if as a result of the loud protests of a few people, the project is thwarted. Residents in Hadleigh and the surrounding villages will end up as the losers.
Quite frankly, Hadleigh deserves better.
Nick Ridley
Chairman Hadleigh Community Facility Steering and Project Group
Babergh District Council
|