MP urges council to halt sale of empty civic centre

BCP Council says it costs £19,000 a month to maintain the empty building

An MP is urging a council to halt the sale of a landmark building.

Poole Civic Centre has been empty since 2022, following the formation of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council in 2019.

The authority, which is facing a financial crisis, says it is spending £19,000 a month maintaining the Grade II listed building.

But the town's Labour MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan, wants BCP to consult residents over its future, describing it as part of Poole's history and civic identity.

The 1930s Art Deco building had been the home of Borough of Poole Council before it was abolished as part of a council merger.

Mr Duncan-Jordan said: "That civic centre belongs to the people of Poole, it doesn't belong to the council.

"We need a public consultation to ask the people how they want that building used.

"All councils are struggling but selling off the family silver doesn't make the problem any better."

He said the building could be used for social or key-worker housing, a business development hub, or community use such as an advice centre.

He said: "These are all things we desperately need in Poole.

"Selling it off to make another load of posh flats or a hotel that we don't need is not what we want."

Councillor Mike Cox said there had been consultation as part of the local plan

BCP deputy leader and finance councillor Mike Cox said the building had been "wasting money for the last five years" and needed to be sold.

"This has been well consulted on as part of the local plan," he said.

"We need the money to keep going. It can't be kept there as a derelict site.

"I'd rather spend that £19,000 a month filling potholes, looking after the homeless, looking after children with SEND.

"We can't continue to waste money."

Hundreds of people have signed a petition, started by Mr Duncan-Jordan, urging the council to reconsider.