November 15, 2018 8.47 am This story is over 65 months old

Louth scouts buy sports ground for just £1

They will build new facilities on the ground
Photos of the Charles Street facilities. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Council leaders have given the advantage to a scouting group’s plans to take over tennis courts, bowling green and fishing facilities in Louth for just £1.

East Lindsey District Council executive served approval on Louth Scouts Community Centre Partnership taking over the Charles Street Recreation Ground to use it as their headquarters.

The ground includes the tennis courts, a bowling green and a pond to the rear and is currently used by a local croquet club, Homestart Lincolnshire and a fishing club.

Photos of the Charles Street facilities. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Councillor Graham Marsh said he was “really pleased” with the scheme.

“We need to look at assets that we’re not making best use of and invite the community to enhance what we have got,” he said.

Other councillors said it would “breathe new life” into the facilities.

Councillor Sarah Parkin, who is vice chairman of the LSCCP and chairman Adrian Beech both thanked the committee, with Cllr Parkin saying the time it had taken for the proposal to be finalised was “testament to the collaborative work being done.”

Councillor and vice chairman of the Louth Scouts Community Centre Partnership Sarah Parkin, with scouts Alex Reed and Catie Hall and group leader and chairman of the LSCCP Adrian Beech. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Documents before councillors said the group’s plans included replacing the existing pavilion with a modern one which will make the running costs “sustainable” and “cost-effective”.

It outlined the scouting group’s business plan to spend around £240,000 on the building costs, and £14,000 on demolition.

It says the replacement facilities will create an “equivalent provision that helps meet the sporting/recreational needs of the district”.

Photos of the Charles Street facilities. Photo: Daniel Jaines

ELDC has spent an average of £2,795 per year over the past five years on maintaining the ground but officers warned a survey due to be carried out could result in higher costs.

The land is currently partly leased to the Crown and Woolpack Angling Club and also Magna Vitae, with the latter agreeing to the termination of the contract.

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