A COUNCILLOR claims he nearly quit over the loss of what he sees as an important community centre.
The Barn at Knight's Grange in Winsford is to be transformed into an indoor children's play centre, subject to conditions, following a decision by Vale Royal Borough Council's executive group this week.
It is to be leased to a private company, which will use it exclusively as a 'play barn' for children.
That means the groups which used it for activities such as dancing, aerobics and karate, as well as individuals who had hired it for private functions, will have to find alternative premises.
The borough council has already helped several groups move into the Civic Hall, but Cllr Peter Gannon believes Winsford is being sold short.
While he supports the enterprise, he thinks premises which were not already being used by the community should have been found for it.
Cllr John Grimshaw, Vale Royal's lead councillor for leisure, said: 'We were satisfied that, following consultation and detailed consideration by the social review committee, building a children's indoor play area and party venue would enhance the facility and provide an increase in local leisure opportunities.
'The council will now work closely with current users of The Barn to re-locate their activities and classes to other suitable council venues with the minimum of disruption to class members and at no additional cost.'
But Cllr Gannon said: 'What little faith I had left in democracy went after that decision was made.
'An issue which involves the people of Winsford was decided mainly by councillors who live out of the district and it means that my Verdin Ward has lost another social amenity.
'I nearly quit the next day - in fact, if my wife hadn't talked me out of it, I would have. I'm just so frustrated and angry.'
Cllrs Gannon and Des Worthington, who sits on Vale Royal Borough as well as Winsford Town Council, both opposed the bid after the scheme was first revealed by the Chronicle.
'We believe a purpose-built building should have been found for this,' added Cllr Gannon. 'Cllr Worthington and I both spoke to the entrepreneur who wants to open the play barn and we told him we will give him every support. We are not against him. He is investing in Winsford, so more power to him.
'But the council officers should have found him a venue which wouldn't mean community facilities are taken away from Winsford.'
