Community building in Churchill Gardens to be demolished

BCP Council has finally been given clearance to flatten the old play hut building in Churchill Gardens.

Contractors SeaScape are stripping the site with plans to flatten the building during the week beginning January 29.

The local authority previously said the building was “not fit for purpose to re-let for community use” as it would “not meet modern building standards”.

Keeping the building would “require significant financial investment”, ward councillors were told.

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Its demolition was also a condition of the planning agreement to construct the new ‘Aspire’ community building at Churchill Gardens, which opened in the summer of 2022.

The new Churchill Gardens ASPIRE building

The play hut was formerly a youth services base and home to Joy Café, which is now operated from the new building.

A local community group, the Friends of Churchill Gardens, have been fighting to save the hut from demolition.

They believed the space could benefit the community and would complement the new building.

• Read more: Appeal withdrawn in plans for Jesmond Wood, Highcliffe

Despite their campaigning, the hut's demolition is imminent.

In an update shared on Monday, BCP Council said: “From January 22, the area will be security fenced off and the building removed down to ground level.

“A portion of the play area will be closed for this time, but most of the play equipment will be accessible.

'Save this Hut' sign on the old play hut building in Churchill Gardens (Image: Newsquest)

“The long-term plan for Churchill Gardens is to provide a new play area, further landscape works and facilities to improve the space for local people.

"There is no timeline for these improvements while opportunities for funding are explored.”

The local authority has been waiting for demolition approval since March last year when a survey found the building was free of asbestos.

A tenant is also sought to take over the new building for a period of up to nine years and six months.

A council spokesperson said: “The café is the heart of a busy, community-focussed urban park and a tenant is sought that can manage and run a successful café operation alongside supporting a wide range of community interests, activities and events within the park.”