THE Mayor of Christchurch has given her support to proposals to flatten an unused building in the town.

Councillor Avril Coulton said she is “pleased” to see plans to demolish the single storey sports pavilion, and its adjacent storage unit, in Barrack Road Recreation Ground.

The building is currently unoccupied, boarded up and in a sorry state of disrepair, and has remained a target of vandals.

BCP said their planning application to demolish it is due to safety concerns.

The local authority added that Christchurch Town Council, who are in the process of taking back ownership of the building, had been “involved” in the application.

Cllr Coulton said: “I am pleased that a planning application to demolish the Barrack Road Pavilion has been submitted, unfortunately, the pavilion was vandalised during the Covid lockdown periods and has not been used since, due to the Health and Safety of the building and the unfortunate subsequent damage.”

But whilst the Mayor has showed her support for the application, she believes an opportunity is being missed for a “wonderful open space”.

Cllr Coulton said: “I am saddened that there is no application for a replacement building, the opportunity is there to rebuild, perhaps a Youth Centre, encompassing changing rooms and other facilities; with all the outdoor space it would give the youth and anyone else using the facilities a wonderful open space and a place to meet and enjoy. “By BCP supporting Christchurch Town Council, it would help the residents of Christchurch”