A THEATRE could be facing its final curtain after it was revealed that plans to demolish the complex have sparked 118 letters of support.
Civic chiefs are meeting next week to decide the fate of the Waterside Theatre in Long Lane, Holbury, which began entertaining audiences about 70 years ago.
The 300-seat former cinema in Long Lane, Holbury, has stood empty since 2016.
Esso and ExxonMobil, which own neighbouring Fawley refinery, have applied for planning permission to bulldoze the huge building and transform the site.
Proposals include a new sports pavilion and a community garden with a picnic area.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is objecting to parts of the scheme because of the site's close proximity to the refinery.
But a report to councillors says: "Your officers are of the view that the proposed demolition of the existing building and its replacement with a community garden and car park will generate less activity than the existing position and therefore less risk."
The application says the Esso Sports and Recreation Club, also known as the Holbury Club, was built for people working at the refinery.
It adds: "It 2002 it was leased to Waterside Sports and Social Club (WSSC). In late 2016 WSSC went into liquidation and since then the buildings have stood empty and boarded-up and have been subject to sporadic incidents of theft and vandalism."
Plans to redevelop the site have sparked 26 objection but almost 120 letters of support.
The report to councillors says: "Due to the poor condition of the building significant funds would be required to refurbish the building to a useable condition, and there is no evidence of any community groups or other interested parties willing to undertake this project.
"There is a strong support from the local communities for the provision of the pavilion.
"As the theatre closed about four years ago, the proposal would not result in a loss of existing operational cultural facility.
"The proposed pavilion would replace the existing building and would enable the use of the sports fields in the future to the benefit of the local communities."
Councillors are being recommended to authorise the chief planning officer to grant permission, subject to any additional representations by the HSE.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article