 |
| David Harrison & Alan Weeks |
|
|
Key campaigners behind the project to retain the B.A.T. Sports & Social facilities at Southern Gardens for community use have been boosted by recent developments.
The two Lib Dem Councillors, David Harrison and Alan Weeks have announced that they have collected over 1000 signatures on petitions, mostly from Totton residents.
Members of the Sports & Social Club have also been busy and have presented the Councillors with hundreds of additional signatures, all of which should help convince British American Tobacco of the strength of public feeling.
The Councillors met with B.A.T. bosses at the Southampton Headquarters last week in order to stress the importance of the recreational facilities to the town. Speaking after the meeting, David Harrison, Chairman of Totton & Eling Town Council said "We were able to discuss matters directly with the Head of UK Operations, Mr Short. B.A.T. are determined to press ahead with sale of the site.
However, Mr Short seemed to appreciate that a developer is unlikely to get permission to develop the whole site for housing. Early estimates of the site value at £12 million are grossly exaggerated."
B.A.T. have instructed agents to invite expressions of interest in the site. These should help determine the likely value. A further meeting has been provisionally arranged for late June/ early July.
Councillor Weeks says "I would like the Town Council to be the preferred bidder for this site. However, we don't know yet know the value and whether the likely capital and revenue costs will fall within our capacity to take it on. It's important that we keep talking to B.A.T. Hopefully, we can come up with a solution that will suit everyone."
Councillor David Harrison added "My personal thanks to all those who collected and signed the petition forms. We have had a magnificent response. It's a great example of people power and I'm very optimistic of a successful outcome".
|
