Hall empty due to lack of furniture

Community access to Hartspring Hall was a condition made when planning permission was granted for a Paddington Churches Housing Association estate in Park Avenue.

The hall has been open since April last year but high prices and a 5.30pm closing time mean most groups cannot use its facilities.

A residents' meeting organised by police and Hertsmere Borough Council last week saw two people, Gerry McCormick and Spencer Bell, both sign up to help organise a group to furnish the hall and run a group.

Mr McCormick, of Duncan Way, said: "The rates are extortionate and their opening hours don't make sense.

"Part of the planning application was for the residents to be able to use the hall.

"The police couldn't even access it when they wanted to set up a youth group.

"Residents and the police feel that it could be a key resource in trying to get the youth off the streets."

The hall is on the former site of the Hartspring Sports Centre, which was demolished when the housing estate was built.

Bushey North Councillor Robert Gamble, said: "The housing association and the local people have to get together and get it up and running.

There's a yoga group which uses it for half a day every week but they don't need furniture as they just sit on the floor and then go home.

The housing association are giving no more than the bare bones of what is needed."

He then said that furniture was promised and set to be delivered this week but that nothing had ever arrived.

Valerie Kane, of Hertsmere Borough Council, said she was looking to set up a youth group and was in contact with the housing association.

She said it was definitely a space the borough council wanted to use and hoped a solution would be reached soon.

At the time of going to press a representative from the housing association had not responded to the Observer's inquiries.

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