Residents ask for keys to St Paul's (From Penarth Times)

Residents ask for keys to St Paul's

A PENARTH residents' association has called on the Vale council to hand over a former church for use as a community centre.

The Alexandra Ward Residents' Association want the council to give it the keys to St Paul's Church on Arcot Street, currently home to a boxing club.

Sarah Dawson of the association said: "We have not had a community centre available to us for at least five years since the one situated on the Billybanks estate was declared derelict.

"We had over 300 people who wanted to meet about concerns about the Penarth Heights project, but no venue where we could stage a meeting.

"At the moment we are having to meet in the back room of a pub - which is not everyone's cup of tea.

"We are looking for a facility to serve all groups in the community. We are looking at a full programme of activities for the elderly, young people and also a mother and toddler group. While they agree with us in principle, the Vale Council won't commit to providing us with a building.

"We believe St Paul's is the best venue currently available," she added.

"I would stress we do not want to move the boxing club out - but rather to share the building with them."

The Alexandra Ward Residents' Association has started a petition for the council to take action and provide them with a community facility.

Anyone interested in collecting names for the petition should contact Sarah Dawson on 029 2031 2361.

Labour Cllr Liz Burnett has backed the association's call for a community centre.

Plaid Cymru spokesman in the Vale Alwyn Evans said: "Tory leaders promised that the development on this site would include community facilities to unite the new buildings with the old town, probably near the St Joseph's Triangle.

"Now, the same Tories and their officers are denying that this was ever promised.

"The Council stands to make millions from the sale of Penarth heights to developers Crest Nicholson, but will not spend a penny on the needs of Penarth for community and social facilities."

But Michael Harvey, cabinet member for regeneration, tourism and leisure, said: "The Vale of Glamorgan Council fully recognises the need to provide a community facility in the north of Penarth. We have still to identify all the potential users and their requirements.

"We have still to identify the site in question but there is no dispute between us on the need to provide a facility."