PUBLIC consultation?

Well there we are, swimming pool now closed and most other indoor leisure activities at the end of this month.

Valley Leisure during the last 12 months had a million users between Andover/ Romsey.

We are all aware that local authorities are cash strapped and having to make difficult decisions. A new leisure centre for Andover is to be welcomed.

The consultations have been with Places for People only, being told they “know what we need”.

Their plans were released late December, many objections were received from users, mainly on the issue of reduced size and facilities.

Four hundred residents viewed the plans at The Lights.

TVBC employees struggled to answer questions relevant to the decreased size of the new centre against a rapidly rising population. Our representatives were conspicuous in their absence.

After much press coverage there now followed a belated consultation process with swimmers and Peter Pan.

Some arrangements have been made until 2019, albeit far short of previous availability.

Last Thursday approximately 150 members of the public attended the Northern Area Planning meeting, probably an evening our councillors will wish to forget.

The chairman threatened to “throw us out”. The atmosphere was similar to PMQs in Parliament.

The plans were passed. A couple voted against. The main concerns seemed to be landscaping.

Enough said. Our councillors are individually good people. Collectively they are not with public opinion on this one!

Barry Chant, Winterdyne Mews, Andover.