THE fight over a community centre in Somerford was brought before Christchurch Borough Council last week when frustrated residents presented a petition to councillors.

Residents campaigning to keep their community centre on the corner of Southey and Amethyst Road, presented the document signed by more than 200 people to members in opposition to plans by the housing association Sovereign Twynham to demolish it.

Sovereign Twynham won a planning appeal to build offices on the site where the centre currently stands, following a refusal by Christchurch Borough Council over the proposal last year.

Chris Hopkins from the Somerford Partnership spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting of the full council.

She said: “Sovereign, supposed to work on behalf of the people, is imposing an unwanted and harmful development on a community which has made very clear both by its comments and at the ballot box, its complete opposition to the development.

“Sovereign is committing serious damage to the community it is supposed to serve by removing community facilities without adequate replacement, encouraging traffic flow on unsuitable roads and is callously harming the quality of life of neighbouring residents.”

She added: “They are clearly not aware either of the community spirit of the residents, some of whom have lived for over 64 years in the same home and still have their families living around them. Why?

“Because it is their home and they have never felt the need to leave.”

Mrs Hopkins also raised the issue of a Deed of Covenant that was put on the land by the council in 1991.

She urged the committee to enforce the covenant and “not to waiver or vary the same and fight on our behalf so that we may keep our community centre”.

The covenant is currently being examined at by Christchurch council’s legal team.

Sovereign Twynham said they were considering the inspector’s recommendations and had nothing further to add.