CAMPAIGNERS are urging planning bosses to save the ‘much-loved’ Coopers Hill Community Centre.
Proposals to regenerate Coopers Hill, Market Street and Jubilee Gardens as part of £300 million worth of town centre investment were laid bare in May.
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The plans would include building more than 700 homes in the town centre, with the community centre making way to fund the new £750,000 youth centre in Braccan Walk.
But neighbours are desperate to save the hub as they say it is “perfect” for those with no cars, older people and the disabled.
Campaigner Terry Pearce told the News: “Coopers Hill Centre is a much used and loved community facility, mainly used by small local community groups.
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“We think the needs of local people are more important than the needs of the developer - assets lost like Coopers Hill cannot be replaced and we think it is time to make a stand.
“Let us show the council that we care about our community assets and will fight to save them.”
The Save Coopers Hill Youth and Community Centre group held a public meeting last week to launch the campaign and the cause already has a range of supporters, including Bracknell National Pensioners Convention and Bracknell UNITE Union.
A petition has also been set up by the group with further activities planned to lobby Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) to scrap the plans.
BFC bosses say the centre needs at least £1 million of investment to bring it up to a “usable standard”, following a survey by independent inspectors.
According to the council, the centre costs £62,000 to run but generates £52,000 in income per year.
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A BFC spokesperson said: “Given the building’s age and condition, it would be difficult to make additional modifications to make it fully accessible across all levels – which is something the council aspires to for all its buildings to ensure equality standards are met.”
Drop-in sessions are set to be held for community centre users next month to give them more information about the plans for the site.
Cllr Peter Heydon added: “As part of the project we are continuing to speak to users of Coopers Hill community centre and help them find new suitable and accessible homes."
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The centre is planned to remain available for public use until 2021.
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