PLANS to refurbish the pavilion in Fordingbridge are moving forward with calls from councillors to “get it done”.

Fordingbridge Town Council last week voted to approve a quote of £3,500 plus VAT for BrightSpace architects to produce plans to go out to tender and submit building regulations applications.

The estimated cost of the proposed refurbishment is £180,000. £125,000 of section 106 money, which is contributions from developers, will partly fund the project.

Councillor Mike Jackson said: “I have concerns that we are proceeding with £180,000 work there without consulting anybody in the town about it and without considering other options.”

He suggested using the money on refurbishing the children’s play area and the council could give money to the rugby football club money to upgrade facilities. He also called on the council to "pause" and not to “rush it”.

Cllr Malcolm Adams said: “We’ve put an enormous amount of effort in. This is probably the last time they will have the chance for funds to go ahead. It is going to go on indefinitely if we don’t do it now.

“I would like us to go ahead and put every effort in to get it done for the present generation. We are considering people using it now."

The then mayor Paul Anstey, said the finance and policy committee in February discussed and voted to allocate the section 106 funds to the refurbishment of the pavilion, adding: “I believe in us being able to go to vote all councillors had the opportunity to ask the question, review the comments, review the options and in due process took that to a vote.”

Councillors were told the funds would have to be reallocated by New Forest District Council (NFDC) but even if they were, they could not be spent on the replacement or refurbishing existing play equipment. The allocation of funds for the pavilion has been approved by NFDC and could potentially be lost.

Cllr Anna Wilson said: “This council has a history of procrastinating so much about things that they don’t get done. This has to be done.”

Cllr Pete White added: “This is a really good opportunity for Fordingbridge Town Council to actually give something back to the town and I think it would be really well received.”