The Scout Hut on Larkshall Road has been empty for six years. In that time local councillors Roy and Emma have pushed for action to revitalise this important community space and bring it back into use.
Local Conservative Councillors pushed for two rounds of expressions of interest and set up meetings with a number of potential occupiers which the Council have dragged their heels.
Roy and Emma also organised for the community payback team to keep the site tidy so it remains appealing as a potential occupier. They also warned the Council’s Chief Executive time and time again of the need to properly secure the site to avoid squatters, something that unfortunately happened last year before the site was finally boarded properly.
One officer even suggested the community site would be sold off, which his department quickly apologised for and said wouldn’t happen.
An update in the New Year was promised which still has not come and now we need the community to come together and help us push the council to act.
We cannot continue to let the Council see this once loved building sit vacant and deteriorate, attracting anti-social behaviour with the risk it is eventually sold off and the precious green space developed and lost forever.