Warehouse plan for disused sports centre in Shirehampton, Bristol
A FORMER sports centre in Shirehampton could be turned into warehouses if planners grant a go-ahead.
Back in December 2005 residents were devastated when the Robin Cousins Centre closed as part of council cut backs.
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The former sports centre in Shirehampton, Bristol
Since then, despite numerous attempts to bring it back into community use, it has lain empty.
Now planning permission is being sought by CCTV camera equipment company Open 24 seven, based in Redfield.
The company wants to convert the centre to a warehouse and offices, with 72 solar roof panels and a new boundary fencing for the building.
They have already had to counter constraints on the land caused by its flood-zone status and the nearby motorway and promised to keep the mature maple, ash and alder trees on the site as well as the existing grass areas.
But locals are disappointed that it could spell the end for hopes that the building would be reopened as a sports or community centre.
MP Charlotte Leslie said: “After the council closed our much-loved Robin Cousins Centre, we have campaigned for years for it to be re-opened for local people. This area has lost so many community amenities, including its local swimming pool.
“The building has already been vacant far too long, and this should have been resolved a long time ago. but it will be a devastating blow if after all the campaigning for much-needed community facilities to be returned to local people, the Robin Cousins Centre is taken forever from the community.”
So far the application has received two objections from members of the public.
Christine Moore, who lives in Maiden way, said the road leading to the entrance of the centre would be unsuitable for use by lorries and goods vehicles.
She said: “There are three primary schools and one senior school in the local area and this road is used by many families walking to and from school so any plan which has the potential to increase traffic should be rejected.”
Another resident Allan Moore, who lives at Trymside, in Seamills, said the land would be better used as a green space for dog walkers.
He said: “If allowed to proceed it will also stop access to one of the few green areas in the district which has been used for years by local children and residents of the area for leisure and general dog walking purposes.”
Mr Cousins, pictured above, who grew up in Sea Mills, won a gold medal in figure skating at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.
The centre was named after him when it opened in the same year.
In 2008, when it was hoped it would reopen, he said he would like to see it returned to community use.
We attempted to contact Open 24 seven for their comments but received no response.
