The owners of a York sports club say they have put their plans to demolish it on hold in order to allow discussions about its future.
As YorkMix revealed last month, the home of New Earswick Bowls Club is set to be flattened to make room for housing.
Owners the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust want to build 29 homes on the site.
Their application to demolish the Tanners Yard building, off Huntington Road, prompted an outcry from the club’s users. They described the plan as ‘devastating.’
A petition to save the club, written and online, has gathered more than 600 signatures.
Today, the housing trust said it wanted to enter discussions “to look at options for the long-term future of the club,” adding:
“In line with this, and for the time being, JRHT will not pursue the demolition order that was being sought so that productive talks can hopefully take place.”
‘Treasured asset’
Trust chief executive Paul Kissack said: “JRHT recognises that the bowling club is an important asset for the community, and we hope very much that is has a viable future.
“Sadly, it is currently in a rapidly ageing building which requires extensive investment and is increasingly not fit for purpose.
“The current lease expires in May next year and we are happy to confirm again that we will not make any changes to the site before then.
“To reinforce this, we have for the time being, stopped our application for a demolition notice so that we can focus our efforts on having constructive conversations about the future of the club.
“Hopefully, with the continued support of local representatives we can use the coming weeks to discuss with the NEIBC what a viable future could look like.”
Huntington councillors welcomed the statement.
“Throughout the last few weeks we have sought to engage with the trust and the club positively to find a suitable future for this treasured community asset,” Cllr Keith Orrell said.
“We’re glad to see JRHT listen to the concerns expressed by the community and commit to discussing all viable options.
“The support for the club’s campaign has shown just how important a role it plays in the local community – it’s a sporting and social asset both in New Earswick as well as regionally.”
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