Residents to protest over centre

Dozens of residents, including a mother and toddler group, who use a closure-threatened community centre are due to take part in a protest to keep it open.

Christchurch Borough Council is conducting a public consultation looking at the viability of Mudeford Wood Community Centre.

It says the centre is only used for six hours a day during the school holidays and costs £127,990 to maintain.

But protesters claim the centre is "still vital to the community".

'Beautiful open space'

Dawn Brookes, of Mudeford Wood Community Centre Users and Residents Group, said: "Age concern has been in the building for 20 years.

"This building is the only community centre in the area and effectively is available to an excess of 10,000 electorate.

"The residents are also very concerned as the centre backs on to beautiful open space and a woodland and conservation area.

"[They] feel that if the building was demolished more housing would be put in its place."

Mrs Brookes, who is chairwoman of the Mudeford Wood playgroup, which also incorporates a mother and toddler group, added: "We are extremely concerned as we have have been here for 19 years.

"As there are no other buildings within the local area to which we could relocate, it would force us to close [and] this would affect about 150 families."

However, Michael Turvey, chief executive of the council, said: "The consultation is being carried out to find out the views of residents and users as to the future of the centre.

"No decision will be made until the results of the consultation are taken into account. "