Into battle to halt leisure centre plan (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Into battle to halt leisure centre plan

TEWKESBURY Battlefield Society is preparing itself for another battle; stopping the town's proposed new leisure centre being built on what they say is part of the site of the battle of Tewkesbury.

Chairman Steve Goodchild said that while the society's members do not believe the site proposed by the council was at the heart of the battle it was certainly part of the battlefield and it is likely that Queen Margaret of Anjou used a windmill there as an observation and command point.

He said: "It's part of the registered battlefield and as such we strongly urge that the Battlefields Trust should be consulted about any proposed development."

A letter from him to the borough council says: "In conclusion, the Battlefield Society does not believe that it is appropriate to encroach further into the registered battlefield.

"Holme Hill is a prominent and important viewpoint and we urge you to reject the proposal."

Fellow founder member Craig Fletcher said: "In my view the most important point of principle is that if they are allowed to build there, the whole of the battle site is unprotected and at risk."

The Battlefield Society was set up in 1998 to oppose plans to build houses on the Gastons, the last untouched part of the site of the Battle of Tewkesbury.

They were successful and as result of their efforts, the area is now registered as a battlefield with English Heritage.

This registration is supposed to be taken into consideration in all planning applications affecting the site.

It has not been approached for its views on the current proposals.

The council wants to close Cascades pool as part of its plans to re-develop the town centre because it says its deteriorating condition is making the pool too expensive to run. It wants to replace the pool with a leisure centre with more facilities.

Councillors suggested the former MAFF depot behind Morrison's supermarket, and the grounds of Tewkesbury School as alternative sites but consultants employed by the council recommended the grounds of the council office as the optimum choice.