Photo: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © David Hallam-Jones – geograph.org.uk/p/3290083

The budget papers for February’s Oadby and Wigston Borough Council meeting contained outline proposals for a new larger community building as a replacement for the current Bowls Club pavilion at Ellis Park.

The bowling club and green will stay, with the new building serving as both a pavilion and community centre. New tennis courts are planned elsewhere in Oadby, probably at Uplands Park or Brocks Hill Park.

A new community centre would allow the current sites for the elderly buildings of the Youth Club and Walter Charles Centre to be used for expanding the Oadby Cemetery (Youth Club site) and much-needed housing (Walter Charles).

The former Oadby Pool would also be redeveloped for housing. However, there are no plans to build over Ellis Park. In fact, some of these changes may enable the Borough to fund new play equipment and more trees for Ellis Park.

The council has strict government targets for house building due to the national and local shortage of housing. If the Borough Council does not meet these targets, the government can step in and ensure the targets are met, regardless of the views of local people. We hope to include affordable housing in this plan.

There is also a potential lack of civic cemetery provision in our area. Residents tell us that this is a service that they wish the council to continue to provide locally. Using services outside the Borough may not be what families want and can incur additional costs for council tax payers.

All nine Oadby Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors live in Oadby. Both I and Councillor David Carter live within the Oadby St. Peter’s ward that we are elected to represent. Between us, we have lived for over sixty years in the town. We or our families have benefitted from using the old Oadby Pool, Youth Club and attending events at the Walter Charles Centre.

The council meeting was the first step for these proposals. Affected clubs and groups were then contacted by the council. Next, we believe that detailed proposals will go out to consultation with interested groups and residents.

When I and Councillor Carter have these details, we will ensure residents and interested parties are kept informed through social media and Focus leaflets.