Goal to create new pavilion to be discussed

September 17, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

Goal to create new pavilion to be discussed

Wednesday 16th September 2015

Local people have backed plans for a new pavilion and changing facilities to be built at Blenheim Park.

One hundred and fifty local residents were asked for their views on Catholic United FC’s plans to create the £430,000 new facility, with an online portal also set up for any resident to take part.

Eighty-nine responses were received in total with 58 (65%) in favour and 8 (9%) in favour if the proposal was modified. Seventeen (20%) were against the proposal.

The subject was originally discussed by cabinet on 23rd June, when councillors agreed to give landlord consent for the project to be taken forwards and through the planning process.

However the matter was referred back to cabinet by members of the Place Scrutiny committee (13th July), who cited ‘a lack of public consultation and the potential loss of open space.’ It was also decided at that meeting that a public consultation would take place.

Cabinet (22nd September) will now consider the public consultation results and whether to uphold its decision to give landlord consent.

Graham Longley, Executive Cllr for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, says: “This proposal offers an innovative opportunity to develop good facilities in Blenheim Park to replace and re-provide the former pavilion that had to be demolished in 2005, and support local grass roots football and the local community. The results of the survey would suggest that local residents back the plans and there are some very positive comments about how this will provide much needed facilities for the area.

“Replacing the pavilion has been a council ambition since the demolition of the old changing rooms, but no concrete proposals with a local football club have been developed until now. I applaud Catholic United FC for coming forward with the idea.

“It must be stressed that the decision of cabinet is about giving landlord consent as the landowner. Any plans will have to go through the relevant processes such as planning, which will deal with some of the issues raised, and include further engagement with local residents and the relevant statutory consultation. Other issues raised through the consultation such as the use of the facility will be dealt with through clauses in the lease for example.”

If the decision to give landlord consent is upheld, Catholic United FC will seek external funding and start to draw up final designs for the new facility that would be used by them and other football clubs in the area. It would replace old changing rooms that were demolished in 2005 following sustained vandalism and major subsidence.