Councillors call for halt to demolition of vandalised Morecambe 'youth hut'

A leading councillor has hit out at plans to demolish a former bus shelter saying "Morecambe is being gradually stripped of its assets at the hands of Lancaster City Council".

Councillor Clark Kent, chairperson of Morecambe Town Council, has joined with fellow Morecambe councillors to demand that the city council halt plans to demolish the former bus station waiting room on Central Drive - which has been used as a meeting place for young people.

Town councillors criticised the process leading to the demolition decision and unanimously called for Lancaster City Council to work with the town council and the local community to explore alternatives.

The city council planning regulatory committee voted in favour of prior approval for demolition of the shelter, at a meeting on Tuesday September 1.

"The building has attracted issues in terms of crime and antisocial behaviour and is no longer considered a safe space for young to gather," said the planning application.

But Councillor Kent, of the Morecambe Bay Independents (MBIs), said: "Morecambe is being gradually stripped of its assets at the hands of Lancaster City Council without any consideration of local feeling or Morecambe Town Council’s potential role."

He cited recent grassing over of flower beds around the town as another example.

The leader of Lancaster City Council has responded, saying the city council is "fully committed to Morecambe's future" and has "played a central role in securing and supporting major regeneration projects" in the town.

Councillor Caroline Jackson also said: "If the town council has proposals for the future use of the site on Central Drive then we would be pleased to discuss them further.”

A spokesperson for the town council said, after a Morecambe Town Council meeting on September 17, said: "We call on Lancaster City Council to reconsider its demolition of the youth hut on Central Drive and come to the table with Morecambe Town Council and the local community to discuss alternative proposals.

"Prior approval may have been granted, but once this building is demolished the opportunity to consider alternative uses will be gone permanently.

"With a bit of work and TLC this building could have another life. It could be restored to its original intended purpose as a bus shelter; the toilet facilities that used to be there could be restored to serve the footfall from the bus and train stations, which is anticipated to increase with 
the opening of the Eden Project; it could be restored as a youth hut; or it could be repurposed for any other number of uses.

"The asset could also be considered for transfer to Morecambe Town Council, allowing these ideas to be explored in collaboration with the community without further burdening Lancaster City Council.

"Simply demolishing it without considering these alternatives is not acceptable."

The spokesperson said that Morecambe Town Council is "now considering what further options are available, including further community campaigning and whether there are any appropriate legal avenues available to challenge or delay implementation of the demolition".

Also at the meeting on September 17, there was cross-party support for saving the shelter with several councillors speaking out in its favour.

Councillors criticised the "limited information provided about the future of the site and what would replace the building; the evidence presented to justify demolition; the absence of meaningful community engagement about whether the building could be retained and put to an alternative use; and the negative environmental impact of demolishing a structurally sound building when environmentally friendly alternatives such as refurbishment and restoration are left unconsidered"

They also criticised the "timing of the planning application during the summer holiday period; the speed with which Lancaster City Council’s demolition application progressed; and the decision to proceed towards demolition, with its associated costs, without evidence that the costs and feasibility of retaining or refurbishing the building were adequately explored".

The planning application, by Lancaster City Council, described the Central Drive building as "a grey metal clad pyramidal roof with green aluminium clad elevations, steel framed bus station building originally with glazed elements to half of the building".

"But these have been vandalised and removed over the years.

"It had been left empty and susceptible to vandalism and prior approval for demolition was granted in 2017.

"The demolition did not take place and following an application in 2018 the building became an assembly point and recreation building for young people.

"The building has attracted issues in terms of crime and antisocial behavior and is no longer considered a safe space for young to gather."

Morecambe-based Ubique K-9 Frontline CIC has called for the shelter on Central Drive to be saved and become an Armed Forces veterans crisis support and canine wellbeing hub.

Beyond Radio asked Lancaster City Council for a response to the town council and Councillor Kent's comments.

Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: "Lancaster City Council is fully committed to Morecambe's future and is glad to see the town is thriving with growing visitor numbers and greater business interest in advance of Eden Morecambe.

"We have played a central role in securing and supporting major regeneration projects, including the acquisition and ongoing work on Frontierland and Eden Project Morecambe.  Lancaster City Council continues to invest significant time, effort and resources into creating new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors. 

“I invite Councillor Kent to consider the installation of Ha Ha Happy in Happy Mount Park, the free public wi-fi on the promenade and the improvements to the Platform, alongside the development of the Morecambe Master Plan. Morecambe's assets are being developed in a strategic and cooperative way with support from the wider community.

"We are also committed to working closely with the district's town and parish councils and have established channels of communication to discuss day-to-day issues and how we can work together to deliver for our residents.

"To support this, a formal Memorandum of Understanding has been developed jointly to help strengthen and formalise the relationship with Morecambe Town Council, which is just waiting for their signature.

"If the town council has proposals for the future use of the site on Central Drive then we would be pleased to discuss them further.”

Read more: Group fights on with veterans hub plan despite green light for Morecambe bus shelter demolition - Beyond Radio

Forces veteran launches campaign to stop demolition of former Morecambe bus shelter - Beyond Radio