A PETITION has been launched to save the home of a dance school which is threatened with redevelopment.

24 Swan Street in Kingsclere is set to be sold by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, with the view of it being turned into residential flats.

It is currently home to JLD School of Dance, a dance school approaching its 30th anniversary, as well as Kingsclere Performing Arts College (KPAC) and businesses such Baughurst Blades and Eira's Equestrian Supplies.

The petition, with almost 600 signatures at the time of writing, has been launched by KPAC aiming to keep the building in its current community use.

Former Liberal Democrat candidate for Tadley, Baughurst and Kingsclere, Kerry Morrow, said there needs to be "consideration into the community impact" of selling the building.

In a letter to The Gazette, Mr Morrow described 24 Swan Street as "a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, within a conservation area", and also highlighted that it provides parking relief for the village.

He said: "The council have decided to sell, but we can still fight for the 24 Swan Street that we want.

"I choose the dancers over developers. I hope you do too.

"As a local campaigner, I believe 24 Swan Street is an asset of community value and if managed correctly could become an activity hub for the young in the area.

"The future of the building should be secured for generations to come, so young and old can enjoy dancing, taekwondo, yoga and other activities.

"Covid and cuts to services have left people isolated. We need youth clubs, we need dance schools, we need local businesses, we need 24 Swan Street."

But at a meeting last month, Cllr Ken Rhatigan, the village's ward councillor and also leader of BDBC, said the building had been running at a loss for 20 years.

Minutes from the parish council meeting documented that members “expressed concerns regarding support for the longstanding successful business that will be impacted by 24 Swan Street being sold”.

They continued: “In addition, the parking problems in the village will be made worse, as parking will no longer be available at 24 Swan Street.”

It had previously been agreed that the parish council would make an argument to the borough council that the sale “would be in breach of its policies regarding arts and business enhancement”.

However, this was rejected, with the borough council claiming the venue had to be considered as part of the council’s property portfolio.

Mr Morrow said that Kingsclere Parish Council was preparing an asset of community value application.