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Leigh On Sea News: Parks Building Concerns – A LEIGH councillor is raising concerns the change of use of a Council parks building in Leigh that was refurbished for the benefit and educational uses of the local fishing industry.
Parks Building Concerns - A LEIGH councillor is raising concerns the change of use of a Council parks building in Leigh that was refurbished for the benefit and educational uses of the local fishing industry.
A LEIGH councillor is raising concerns the change of use of a Council parks building in Leigh that was refurbished for the benefit and educational uses of the local fishing industry.
The garage in Leigh Library Gardens is located just west of the Bus stop in Broadway West by the Church.
Pre-Covid, the premisses received £800,000 from the Fisheries Grants for education and training purposes, with.
Lib Dem councillor for Leigh Ward, Peter Wexham, explained: “It was hard to find anywhere in the old town and after looking around, the Parks Department came up with allowing us to have this store in the Library Gardens.
“This would be for things such as safety at sea and on shore, developing seafood to the market and public, and filleting and cooking seafood.
“A lot of money was spent on fitting this old store out with the facilities needed at the same time someone was needed to take bookings and it was agreed that Leigh Town Council would carry out this and rather than waste it, other community groups could use it when not in use by the fisherman.”
Now, a planning application has been filed to change its use to office spaces, which will change the rights of Leigh fishermen to use it.
Coun Wexham adds: “If Southend and Leigh Councils cannot agree on a way forward to run the facility, then it should be offered to the industry for storage.
“This has not happened, nor has the Council tried, they are just looking for bigger bucks on the back of a Fisheries Grant.”
It has been suggested that the building could be a community space used by various local groups including the local charity Endeavour Trust.
“This funding was part of a package to take Leigh into the future.
“If they rent this out as an office, the Fisheries Grant should be returned to the Leigh Port Partnership,” added Coun Wexham.
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