by Linzi Watson

Last updated 05:39, Friday, 04 July 2008

PLANS to sell the playing fields at Lochinvar School in Longtown for housing development were met with fierce opposition from more than 100 residents at a public meeting this week.

And the sale of the town’s memorial and community centre – to help fund a major regeneration scheme in the town – was also been rejected.

As part of Longtown Moving Forward – a review of public services and buildings in the town – four proposals have been drawn up by Cumbria County Council as a result of six months of consultation with local groups and residents.

But the ideas – all of which involve demolishing the Lochinvar school building and selling off the playing fields – where challenged at a public meeting in the town on Wednesday night.

Proposal one would see Lochinvar playing fields sold and the parish playing fields upgraded;

Proposal two includes plans for a children’s centre and redeveloped community centre;

Proposal three was for a community hub with the existing community centre sold off; Proposal four is to build a training centre on the site of Lochinvar school buildings.

Kieran Barr, who is leading the consultation, told the meeting that after a week, votes on each of the four options showed 52 per cent of local people had rejected them all.

Mr Barr added: “There isn’t a pot of money with Longtown’s name on it.

“We are going to have to make tough decisions and do some trade offs.”

“Getting something good for Longtown is our priority.”

Elaine Smith, parent governor at Lochinvar School, said: “If you sell off the playing fields our children are going to be disadvantaged. We are losing a major asset”

Local councillors Geoff Prest and Ray Bloxham urged local people to have their say.

Mr Bloxham said: “Doing nothing is not an option - the people of Longtown will miss out.”

Karen Johnson, clerk of Arthuret parish council, added:

David Dixon, managing director of Dixon Prestige Homes, has planning permission to build 82 homes at the former sawmill site in Longtown in partnership with Briary Homes.

He expressed concern about the prospect of another major housing development in a town where there is no secondary school.

Sean Reid, head of property and asset management for Cumbria County Council, said the Longtown Moving Forward project was still at a consultation stage, but he added: “We are looking for people to invest in the town by selling assets or by bringing on a developer partner who will take our plans forward.”