CAMPAIGNERS trying to save a Christchurch community centre from demolition have urged the council to consult with the public over their controversial plans.

The Friends of Druitt Hall have formerly responded to Christchurch Borough Council over their proposal to demolish the town centre facility and replace it with a “gathering space” including seating and a sculpture.

The group, who have fought for more than a year to save their beloved hall, have hired planning consultant James Cain and solicitor Lionel Fynn.

Mr Cain said he has written to the council to object to the plans, which if approved, could see the hall demolished by the end of March 2013, despite a £1.5million offer from local businessman Alistair Somerville-Ford to replace the hall with another and keep the old one going.

“Druitt Hall has been used as a community centre since it was built in the coronation year and 60 years of use as such cannot be swept under the carpet without proper public consultation”, he said.

“Given that the borough council would effectively be granting itself consent and taking into account the duty to consult under the Localism Act, there can be no doubt that more public consultation needs to take place before it is in a position to make a decision.”

Mr Cain said the application amounts to a “complete reversal of planning policy” and says only full consultation can satisfy users, especially given the fact that a benefactor has come forward to secure the economic future of Druitt Hall, taking funding issues out of the equation.”

Christchurch council have removed part of their Core Strategy supporting a new town centre hall, saying they don’t believe there is a need for such a facility.

A petition with 935 signatures and more than 164 letters have been delivered to the council.