Tadley set for new youth club (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Site for new club could be in Newchurch Road, Tadley

9:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By Helen Morton

A YOUTH club in Tadley is a step closer after the town council lent their backing to the scheme.

At a meeting on Monday, the council agreed to work with Tadley and District Community Association towards providing a youth club on an area of land adjacent to the Community Centre, Newchurch Road.

Councillor Adrian Noad, who is also chairman of the community association, said that after many years, securing the land was finally within touching distance.

The land, which is owned by Hampshire County Council, is to be transferred to the borough council, who will then lease it to the community association.

Cllr Noad told The Gazette: “I think it has probably been about six years since I first approached the County Council about the plans. Things are finally moving forward.

“Whether the facility is a stand-alone building or an extension of the community centre has yet to be decided.

“It will very much depend on how much money we can raise and what facilities are needed.”

He said the group, which is being supported by Tadley Youth Council, would raise money and look at working with other organisations and groups within Tadley.

At the meeting, Cllr Jo Slimin, chairman of Tadley Town Council, said an informal survey she carried out with Cllr Warwick Lovegrove had shown there was a desire for such a facility in the area.

She said of the 78 people spoken to in Sainsbury’s, Mulfords Hill, 67 said they were in favour, one man said he was against the scheme and 10 did not express an opinion either way.

Cllr Slimin said: “It is a good thing to have because it would be providing something for young people to do.

“Perhaps some of the anti-social behaviour we have had might be reduced.”

Councillors voted unanimously to support the scheme.