Tories Sink Developer Cash into Leisure "White Elephant" (South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats)

South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats <info@secambslibdems.org.uk>

Tories Sink Developer Cash into Leisure "White Elephant"

September 20, 2010 2:29 PM

Ian Allen, District Councillor for Haddenham

Cllr Ian Allen has attacked the Leisure Centre Project as a "White Elephant"

East Cambridgeshire Tories have sunk £500,000 of developer 106 money into the multi million pound leisure centre project with no clear plan of how to get it off the ground.

They have cleared out the 106 fund - money given to the district council for leisure and community facilities from developers building new homes in the district.

The attack comes from the district's Liberal Democrats after figures released have revealed the massive financial commitment to the project.

Lib Dems are worried that the Tories are leaving the district in an extremely precarious financial position.

Architects' fees for the project have cost almost £300,000; a further £45,000 has been spent on highways work and £17,000 on archaeology at the site in Downham Road, Ely.

Now the ruling Tory group on East Cambridgeshire District Council is expected to grant itself planning permission for the £11 million project in November.

Lib Dem leader, Ian Allen said: "This is total madness. The Tories have cleared out all the 106 money on a project which is going nowhere. They have no idea of how they are going to finance this leisure centre and yet they continue to spend money.

"They are pinning their hopes on the 2012 Olympics generating new money for sport and a levy on house building in the future.

"On top of that, 80 per cent of residents questioned are still against moving the leisure centre out of town."

Cllr Allen added that the present community-owned Paradise Sports Centre is protected by a 76 year cast iron lease which is a further obstacle in the way of the Tories' plan.

"The new leisure centre is a white elephant," he said. "The Tories are pursuing a multi million project which they cannot afford and is unlikely to attract private backing in these difficult economic times.

"But instead of putting this project on hold until the money is available they are pushing forward leaving the district council in an extremely precarious financial position."