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Town votes 'no' to leisure centre plan
Controversial plans to build a multi-million pound leisure centre in East Northamptonshire have been rejected by residents in a public vote.
About 1,400 of the 22,000 residents in Rushden turned out to the vote in yesterday's parish pollwhich asked whether they were in favour of plans to build a new leisure centre in the town at Manor Park.
And when the votes were counted late last night it emerged 1,136 people had voted against the proposals.
The result was welcomed by Derek Wood, of Grove Road, Rushden, who was one of the key campaigners who fought for a public vote to be held in the town on the issue.
He said: "This result has vindicated what I have said all along. I hope the councils listen to what the people of Rushden have said – I think they would be foolish if they didn't.
"I think they should look at investing money in the existing facilities instead of going ahead with the Manor Park plans."
Rushden Town Council leader Colin Wright, who has been working on the Manor Park project with East Northamptonshire Council, was disappointed by the outcome of the public vote.
He said: "I'm disappointed with the vote but this project was in our manifesto in the run-up to the last town council elections and we were voted in on it. We were given a mandate by the public then to proceed with this and we will continue to do so.
"The outcome of this poll will make no difference as this project is a key element to the future of our town and is vital if Rushden is going to survive.
"It's disappointing that this poll, which is not legally binding, has cost the taxpayer 8,000."
The district council has argued that the town's existing leisure facilities are past their sell-by date and are too expensive to run.
Members hope the Manor Park plans will provide new leisure facilities and lead to the wider regeneration of the town by freeing up the sites of Splash Pool and the Pemberton Centre for development.
Rushden residents demanded during a public meeting in the town at the end of October that the poll was held.
It cost the town council just over 8,300 to put on the pollthe result of which is not binding on either the town or the district council.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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