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Babergh’s Councillors have backed a plan that could make a significant contribution towards solving Hadleigh’s long-term leisure needs.
It was agreed that the Council could begin exploring ways of realising two important assets it owns in the town, namely a strip of land required for access to a supermarket at Brett Works and East House, as contributions to the £3.25m it will cost to build a new pool.
Once sufficient progress has been made on these negotiations, Babergh’s Strategy Committee will have the option to trigger a £30,000 feasibility study that will look at the detail of any new leisure facility.
In the meantime, Councillors also backed proposals to encourage Hadleigh Town Council, which also owns a strip of land at Brett Works, to work with Babergh in co-ordinating their efforts.
Babergh will lose the £35,000 per year rent it receives on East House from the beginning of April as Suffolk County County have decided not to renew their lease on the property.
Cllr. Nick Ridley, Chairman of Babergh’s Strategy Committee said “this is a really positive step forward. The decision allows Babergh to lay the potential foundations for a long-term solution to the leisure needs of Hadleigh and the surrounding areas. We are hopeful that Hadleigh Town Council will decide to work with us to co-ordinate our efforts to better realise our joint assets for the benefit of the community”.
“Equally, we are hopeful that the remaining users of East House will continue to find suitable alternative accommodation. There may be a possibility for the continued use of East House by the remaining groups. This would be as long as their occupation of the facility does not cost Babergh’s Council Taxpayers any extra money and that the Council will be able to secure vacant possession over the short-term, in order for the asset to contribute to the financing of any future leisure facility”
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