Tory councillor says council not thinking big enough for Hadleigh Hall revamp

8:00am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Jacqueline McMillan

Closed: Rundown Hadleigh Hall all boarded up. Closed: Rundown Hadleigh Hall all boarded up.

WE’RE not thinking big enough! That is the response a Tory councillor has given plans to rejuvenate a dilapidated community hall and recreational ground in Hadleigh.

Ambitious plans have been drawn up to breathe new life into Hadleigh Hall, in Rectory Road, after Castle Point Council resumed responsibility for the site, which is also home to John Burrows Recreational Ground and former care home Solby’s House, in 2005.

These include refurbishing the existing buildings or completely demolishing them in favour of a new complex comprising of a sports hub, restaurant, offices, as well as a community hall and changing rooms.

However, Bill Sharp, councillor for St James’ ward, says the authority is thinking too small and that much more could be achieved on the nine-acre site than the plans allow.

He said: “There is so much scope here to build something truly great for Hadleigh if we just managed to go into partnership with someone. It is such a big site, we shouldn’t be thinking so small, we should be thinking bigger, not just creating a community hall.

“It could be anything, even a new arts venue to link up with the lovely fire station, just something that will be of great benefit to the people of Hadleigh. But unfortunately as a local authority it all comes down to money.”

This comes after residents suggested creating Hadleigh’s first hotel and a skatepark on the site at a council meeting in March.

The Conservative councillor also expressed his frustration at the plans still being stuck on the drawing board, 16 months after the community hall was shut down.

The council was forced to close the Seventies-built facility last year as it is in a shoddy state of repair after increasingly falling victim to vandalism, suffering smashed windows and graffiti.

He added: “I am happy to look at anything that will see this community hall refurbished, and impatient, like people in Hadleigh, to see it happen. It has been closed far too long now.

“There have been interested parties. If this were a business we would put an advertisement out in the paper saying exactly what we want, come up with ideas, find the investment and ask companies simply can you do this for us, yes or no.

“But with local government things always take a long time to achieve which is very very frustrating.”

Councillors will consider three different variations of the plans at a policy and scrutiny meeting at the council offices, in Kiln Road, Thundersley, from 7:30pm tonight.

However, Mr Sharp said it was “highly unlikely” a final decision will be made.

Comments (8)

8:23am Tue 9 Oct 12

Brunning999 says...

I agree with limits, John Burrows is a valuable resource in the area for the community as was meant to be when originally public ownership was gained HOWEVER Castle Point have a poor record in maintaining public facilities to a standard which is in keeping with modern times and they run many public facilities with levels similar to those in the 40's and 50's which varies with short term planning by forever changing Political gains and losses.
That Hall was truly dreadful run down and mainly ruined by vandalism and the congregation of yobs in the evenings who either damaging the hall or the WRVS hall, Police used to visit occasionally and the ' cheap' PCSO's only worked in daylight hours in case they had to do something useful.
When compared to the Virgin premises less than a mile awayi it was truly different ends of the spectrum, one being Paradise the other a War Zone.
If as Bill Sharp says 'we need to think bigger' with 'the' or 'His' View then that's fine if developed BUT DO IT PROPERLY like Watt Tyler park with nice new facilities more in tune with this decade not the last, but it must remain affordable and accessible to all the community including those on lower incomes HOWEVER yobs must not be allowed to regain control turning it into a 'No Go' area, unfortunately that is something Castle Point Council has allowed to happen to local parks and Halls for decades allowing valuable facilities to become war zones.
I agree with limits, John Burrows is a valuable resource in the area for the community as was meant to be when originally public ownership was gained HOWEVER Castle Point have a poor record in maintaining public facilities to a standard which is in keeping with modern times and they run many public facilities with levels similar to those in the 40's and 50's which varies with short term planning by forever changing Political gains and losses. That Hall was truly dreadful run down and mainly ruined by vandalism and the congregation of yobs in the evenings who either damaging the hall or the WRVS hall, Police used to visit occasionally and the ' cheap' PCSO's only worked in daylight hours in case they had to do something useful. When compared to the Virgin premises less than a mile awayi it was truly different ends of the spectrum, one being Paradise the other a War Zone. If as Bill Sharp says 'we need to think bigger' with 'the' or 'His' View then that's fine if developed BUT DO IT PROPERLY like Watt Tyler park with nice new facilities more in tune with this decade not the last, but it must remain affordable and accessible to all the community including those on lower incomes HOWEVER yobs must not be allowed to regain control turning it into a 'No Go' area, unfortunately that is something Castle Point Council has allowed to happen to local parks and Halls for decades allowing valuable facilities to become war zones. Brunning999

9:20am Tue 9 Oct 12

marshman says...

Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward.

The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area.

I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome.

Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?
Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward. The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area. I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome. Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill? marshman

10:11am Tue 9 Oct 12

Brunning999 says...

marshman wrote:
Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward.

The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area.

I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome.

Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?
I believe you will find that with regard to The Recreation Ground anything other than recreational use would be similar to the crime of theft hopefully when first aquired a covenant was made to ensure it use as a recreational space for the community.

I believe a partnership approach is probably the only option to avoid the situation that occurs far to often in Castle Point where Political term strategy means constant changing of views aims and uses.
[quote][p][bold]marshman[/bold] wrote: Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward. The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area. I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome. Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?[/p][/quote]I believe you will find that with regard to The Recreation Ground anything other than recreational use would be similar to the crime of theft hopefully when first aquired a covenant was made to ensure it use as a recreational space for the community. I believe a partnership approach is probably the only option to avoid the situation that occurs far to often in Castle Point where Political term strategy means constant changing of views aims and uses. Brunning999

10:39am Tue 9 Oct 12

Curbishly says...

marshman wrote:
Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward.

The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area.

I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome.

Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?
The mouthpiece of the Canvey Island Independent Party has spoken his usual trouble making rubbish again.

There's still plenty of land on Canvey that could be developed first. Waterside, Dutch Cottage, King George field. That's a couple of thousand houses without even trying.
[quote][p][bold]marshman[/bold] wrote: Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward. The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area. I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome. Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?[/p][/quote]The mouthpiece of the Canvey Island Independent Party has spoken his usual trouble making rubbish again. There's still plenty of land on Canvey that could be developed first. Waterside, Dutch Cottage, King George field. That's a couple of thousand houses without even trying. Curbishly

12:21pm Tue 9 Oct 12

marshman says...

I agree with you about the Dutch Cottage and think it would make an ideal hostel for the under 25's. They'll have to go somewhere now the government's announced they will soon no longer be able to claim housing benefit. This will no doubt make many thousands of the poor kids homeless and we can't have them sleeping all over the beach. I know it's only small but put a few sleeping bags on the floor and in the attic and they'll soon learn to get by.

We're all in this together you know.
I agree with you about the Dutch Cottage and think it would make an ideal hostel for the under 25's. They'll have to go somewhere now the government's announced they will soon no longer be able to claim housing benefit. This will no doubt make many thousands of the poor kids homeless and we can't have them sleeping all over the beach. I know it's only small but put a few sleeping bags on the floor and in the attic and they'll soon learn to get by. We're all in this together you know. marshman

12:25pm Wed 10 Oct 12

Whatthe* says...

Its a bit early to rattle those Political Election sabres isn't it !

Lets keep comments on topic at least .
Its a bit early to rattle those Political Election sabres isn't it ! Lets keep comments on topic at least . Whatthe*

12:47pm Thu 11 Oct 12

John T Pharro says...

Curbishly wrote:
marshman wrote:
Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward.

The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area.

I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome.

Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?
The mouthpiece of the Canvey Island Independent Party has spoken his usual trouble making rubbish again.

There's still plenty of land on Canvey that could be developed first. Waterside, Dutch Cottage, King George field. That's a couple of thousand houses without even trying.
Clearly Curbishly you are Councillor Sharp's mouth piece.

In fact you sound so much like him you could be him!
[quote][p][bold]Curbishly[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]marshman[/bold] wrote: Strikes me that it's a prime brownfield site in a highly desirable location and I agree with councillor Sharp’s proposal that a 'partnership' may indeed be the way forward. The site can easily accommodate a mixture of several hundred family homes and a modern community centre incorporating meeting rooms, large hall and bar facilities – amenities desperately needed in the area. I also think that there may well be a case for including the adjacent allotments into any such proposed partnership development. This would significantly increase the desirability of the whole package to any potential developer (sorry, I mean 'partner') and would help quickly deliver the proposal. The existing allotment holders could very easily be accommodated elsewhere within the immediate area (land at Stadium Way for example) and any objections from them would be easily overcome. Any ‘partners’ in mind Bill?[/p][/quote]The mouthpiece of the Canvey Island Independent Party has spoken his usual trouble making rubbish again. There's still plenty of land on Canvey that could be developed first. Waterside, Dutch Cottage, King George field. That's a couple of thousand houses without even trying.[/p][/quote]Clearly Curbishly you are Councillor Sharp's mouth piece. In fact you sound so much like him you could be him! John T Pharro

11:02am Fri 12 Oct 12

Aint it just the truth says...

Not thinking big enough? How about thinking a bit smaller and give the 13 to 17 age group something for a change. This age group have nothing whatsoever to do in Hadleigh unlike most surrounding areas which have put skate/cycle ramps in their local parks. Could this be because they can't vote?
Not thinking big enough? How about thinking a bit smaller and give the 13 to 17 age group something for a change. This age group have nothing whatsoever to do in Hadleigh unlike most surrounding areas which have put skate/cycle ramps in their local parks. Could this be because they can't vote? Aint it just the truth

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree