Demolition of Morpeth community centre approved

Morpeth Town Council applied for planning permission to destroy Storey Park Community Centre on St Mary’s Field after agreeing the financial cost of bringing it up to standard was too high.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the demolition of the building, which was built during the 1950s, during Monday’s (March 14) meeting of Castle Morpeth Local Area Council.

Speaking at the meeting, Morpeth Town Council’s planning agent Hannah Wafer said the council understood the decision would be “a disappointment” to some residents, but pointed out that prior to the centre’s closure in 2020, Storey Park was only being used at 20% capacity.

Despite this, an objection to the plans submitted to Northumberland County Council included a petition signed by 1,018 people who hoped Storey Park could be retained.

In March 2021, the centre was listed as an asset of community value following a request by the Storey Park Community Group.

However, the planning officer’s report said Morpeth Town Council had “appropriately demonstrated that it is no longer viable for the premises to remain open” due to the “significant costs” required for “essential repairs.”

Coun Richard Wearmouth, who represents the area, insisted the decision had not been taken lightly.

He said: “This building is in a state that wouldn’t allow us to economically develop it in such a way that it would easily be refurbished without substantial costs.

“There is alternative provision and refurbished provision created within the town.

“There is always the opportunity that if funding were to be available in the future we could reconsider that and that the site could be brought back into use. There isn’t anything in terms of plans for thoughts for that site that would preclude that.”

Coun Wearmouth added that although there had been expressions of interest from local groups and residents to take over the building, but these had “gone quiet” when it came to questions of funding.

As it stands, the community centre will not be replaced and the site will instead become an area of hard standing.

Coun Peter Jackson said issues on the site dated back decades.

He said: “I was a member of the former district council and I can remember talk of refurbishing Storey Park at least 20 years ago.

“No-one has come up with a viable, sustainable plan to keep it going. It is always a shame to lose something like this, but actually I understand the building is starting to become unsafe and inoperable.

“It’s been in a pretty shocking state for years and years. I support Morpeth Town Council in trying to deal with the problem they’re facing.

“Morpeth has had substantial investment in community sites over the years and I just hope it can be maintained as a green space and find something usual do to with the site.”

Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the demolition, meaning Morpeth Town Council are now free to bring in demolition teams.