Poole MP condemns Civic Centre sale as ‘act of public vandalism’
The MP for Poole says he’s “disappointed” with BCP Council’s decision to sell the town’s Civic Centre to a developer
BCP Council’s decision to sell Poole’s Civic Centre has been called “an act of public vandalism”, by the town’s MP.
The Grade II listed building is being sold to MCR Property Group, a Manchester based real estate investment and development company, for £5.25million.
It is expected that the re-development will play a vital role in meeting housing targets, but it is not yet clear how the company will use the site.
Neil Duncan-Jordan said he found it “deeply disappointing”, adding that it could have been used as a central hub for the community, a hotspot for local businesses or affordable housing for key workers.
He said: “I think we could have used that creatively but no, they've decided to sell it off to a developer. It's not what Poole needs and I think it's a massive mistake on behalf of the council.”
Poole’s Labour Party agreed with its local MP, writing that the town’s identity has been ‘ended and sold off’.
In the statement Jake Ruggier said the sale of the Civic Centre “marks a new low in BCP Council’s treatment of our town”.
He added: “The administration’s desire to complete the sale before the election of Poole Town Council confirms that their determination to establish these councils had nothing to do with actually giving the people of Poole a say.
“Residents’ worst fears about the consequences of the BCP merger have been realised. Not only has Poole’s civic identity been eroded and now sold off, but the town has also been sold down the river financially.”
The statement also says it is “disappointing” that claims about the Poole Civic Centre costs BCP Council £228,000 a year are false, as “you only get close to that figure by including the costs of the annexe building and the multi-storey car park”.
Cllr Mike Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader of BCP Council, said: “The sale of the Civic Centre has fully complied with the democratic decision and vote taken by council last year.
“These savings will continue to provide essential services to our most vulnerable residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and allow us to get on with the things everyone living in our area really wants to see their council do, such as fixing playgrounds and filling potholes.”