THE charity which runs Basingstoke Sports Centre is calling for an investigation into the conduct of the borough council about the deal agreed for a proposed business hotel.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) has agreed terms with Village Hotels to deliver a 153- room hotel in Basing View.

However, the Basingstoke Sports Trust believes the decision to enter this agreement may have been unlawful.

Members of the trust have now written to the district auditor, to investigate the conduct of the borough council and Village Hotels, claiming they were not properly consulted before the agreement was made.

Despite assurances from BDBC to ensure the sports centre continues to play an important part in the borough’s health, wellbeing and leisure strategies, the trust believes it has not taken into consideration the impact the proposed hotel would have.

Martyn Frost, chairman of the Basingstoke Sports Trust board of Trustees, said: “We have been given repeated assurances that Basingstoke Sports Centre will continue to play an important role in the community, but no mitigation package has been agreed with us, so these assurances from the council feel hollow.

“We are anxious that the council has now pressed ahead with signing an agreement with Village Hotels and committed funds from the public purse.

“We do not believe this is in the interests of the Basingstoke community as it puts the existing sports centre at serious risk.”

As part of the potential impact on the sports centre, this paper launched its ‘Save Our Sports Centre’ campaign with a petition receiving more than 7,000 signatures.

Research undertaken by the trust has found that if a new health club opens as part of the Village Urban Resort it will have a significant impact on the centre’s income. Between £493,000 and £635,000 in revenue could be lost, putting at risk 180 jobs, though BDBC disputes these figures.

Mr Frost added: “We are concerned that the council’s decision is unlawful due to the lack of consultation with us and the general public during their decision making process.

"Furthermore, we have requested a number of documents under the Freedom of Information Act which have been refused by the council.”

A letter of complaint has been sent to the district auditor - which is responsible for auditing the council’ s accounts – by the trust to seek clarity on the issue.

Director of finance and resources for BDBC Kevin Jaquest said: “The council is aware that the Sports Trust has sent a letter to the council’s external auditors.

“The council will co-operate fully with the auditors and provide information as required.”