Christchurch councillors booed after deciding to demolish Druitt Hall (From Thisisdorset)

Christchurch councillors booed after deciding to demolish Druitt Hall

5:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Latest By Katie Clark

DISAPPOINTED campaigners booed councillors at Christchurch after a decision was made on the future of their beloved Druitt Hall.

The Friends of Druitt Hall, formed to help prolong the life of the dilapidated building in the town centre, waved “Save Druitt Hall” placards at the meeting of the resources committee on Wednesday evening as councillors voted unanimously to close the hall, which will be demolished, on March 31 next year.

The management of the hall transferred back into the hands of the borough council on December 31 last year and the campaigners had hoped to persuade the council to keep the old hall at least until a new one could be built.

They had offered, in conjunction with the council and other agencies to fundraise to improve the state of the old facility.

But strategic director Neil Farmer told the committee that there were 30 other community facilities in various forms in the borough and that in the current economic climate what the community needed was better facilities rather than more.

Planning permission for a new facility does exist on the site although the original plans from the Christchurch Community Partnership are being scaled down to reflect the current financial situation.

Cllr Ray Nottage, leader of the council, said: “This is the first indication that we are seeing as a council of the tough economic situation.

Cllr Mike Duckworth, chairman of the resources committee added: “Having considered this very carefully I really do have to say that this is the only way ahead.”

David O’Sullivan, chairman of the Friends of Druitt Hall, said: “Obviously we are very, very disappointed that they have not changed their position from day one.

“We are really upset that they have said we have put in a proposal to run it, when we haven’t.

“They have got so many arguments that it will cost them money, but it will cost them more to demolish it.

“We would have worked to try and improve the usage to boost the hall but nobody listened to us.

“They are not really working for the community when we have a 1,400 signature petition from the community opposing this.”