THE new hotel proposed to be built in Basing View has been attacked by councillors claiming that if built it would effectively lead to the closure of Basingstoke Sports Centre.

At the full council meeting on February 23, leaders of opposition parties said that building of the privately run hotel was not in the town’s best interests as the borough would see no return investment from it.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council approved the lease to US company Village Hotels to potentially build a 153-room hotel, with full leisure facilities, conference spaces and a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.

It is the focus on leisure facilities within the hotels plans which has caused concerns for the leader of the Basingstoke Labour group, Cllr Paul Harvey, who claims there is no demand for more health and fitness provisions.

He said: “The Sports Centre has figures, they’ve looked at the market and have evidence that the American Hotel on Basing View will put them at risk.

“They would lose some £723,000 a year and in fact it would mean within 18 months they would have to wind up the trust.

“The Labour Group are backing the save our Basingstoke Sport Centre campaign 100 per cent.

“We say no to the American hotel, we voted against it at the last full council, we warned this Cabinet of the consequences of its decision.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Cllr Gavin James said it was “crazy” that the council will see no return from the build.

Leader of the borough council, Cllr Clive Sanders, claimed the opposition is more concerned about the “damage” that could be caused rather than focus on the situation at hand.

Cllr Sanders said: “None of these major projects are going to be delivered overnight. There is plenty of time for good, well run businesses and organisation to adapt accordingly and to benefit rather than suffer from the potential.”