Lib Dems demand Old House is saved

10.30.00pm GMT Tue 4th Mar 2008

Old House users with Lib Dem councillors and borough council candidates

The Liberal Democrat group on Brentwood Borough Council are now demanding that the Conservative Administration reverse their decision and ensure that Old House is saved for use by local community groups. This follows representations from a number of groups who are very concerned about the practicalities of moving to the Merrymeade building in Sawyers Hall Lane which they feel has poor access to public transport and would not have a cafeé.

The Liberal Democrats believe the Council should lease out the upper floors of the Old House for commercial use and leave the ground floor available for use by the public. Furthermore, they have stepped up their campaign to save Keys Hall in Warley.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr David Kendall said

"We believe that the Old House and Keys Hall should both be saved for community use and we will continue to fight any Conservative plans to close them. The Shenfield Sports Centre has already been taken out of public use and residents are fed up with decisions on community halls being railroaded through without proper consultation. Old House is a listed building which is much loved by local people. The Council needs to wake up to residents concerns and consider all the options to keep it open"