MP steps into row over hall's future (From Witney Gazette)

MP steps into row over hall's future

8:44am Wednesday 15th February 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

Witney MP David Cameron has stepped in to make sure residents are involved in the future of a neglected community hall and to help save its playgroup.

The Tory leader made a special flying visit to Ceewood Hall, on the Smith's Estate, in a bid to press owners, Shaftesbury Housing Association, into action.

A question mark has been hanging over what will happen to the building for almost two years, leaving parents with children at Ceewood PreSchool Playgroup fearful about its future.

The hall, in Fettiplace Road, was once a popular community facility.

But in recent years it has become dilapidated, and is only used by the childcare centre. Councillors, parents, and residents are worried that it is only a matter of time before it is boarded up leaving the playgroup homeless, and the hall prone to vandalism.

Sitting on one of the only six chairs left in the neglected building, Mr Cameron said boarding up the hall would be disastrous.

'The key is to get everyone round the table and find out what the community wants'

David Cameron MP

He added: "The question is what to do to stop that happening?"

He said saving the playgroup was a priority, but he also wanted to help secure the future of Ceewood Hall, which the town council ran until last December, when the lease expired.

Mr Cameron said: "We have to think about the future.

"The key to the future is to get Shaftesbury, the town council, the district council, and residents round the table, and say what is it that the community would like to have here?"

He vowed to set up a meeting between interested parties, in order to find a solution.

The playgroup, which caters for up to 20 children, has been given a stay of execution by Shaftesbury, which is letting them use the building rent-free until July.

But parent Janet Ashby, 36, who came to the playgroup as a child and whose three-year-old son, Kyle, is a member, said: "I am worried about what will happen. At the moment, there is nowhere for them to go."

One option is for the childcare centre to relocate to a mobile classroom at West Witney Primary School, in Edington Road a move supported by parents and governors.

Another concerned parent, Kevin Fowler, whose wife, Michelle, works at Ceewood Preschool Playgroup, has been fighting to save the building, alongside district councillor Harriet Ryley.

Mrs Ryley said it was important to find out if there was still demand to use the hall.

She said: "It has become a spiral as it got more dilapidated, fewer people wanted to use it."

Sean Cahill, Shaftesbury spokesman, said the company was working on an 'options appraisal', to find a permanent solution for the hall.

Mr Cahill said: "We would point out that, while this is a community facility, the cost of maintaining this largely falls on Shaftesbury residents.

"And our primary responsibility at this stage is to them."

He said the playgroup could use the hall until July, and added: "We feel this is sufficient time to enable us to undertake our options appraisal, and give us an opportunity to determine a way forward."

A petition has been launched, with copies in Ceewood Hall and the Witney Gazette office, in Market Square.

Anyone interested in hiring or saving the building should call Mr Fowler, on 01993 703990, or e-mail Mrs Ashby, via the Witney Gazette, at witney@nqo.com