THE LEADER of the Vale Council has warned the social enterprise behind plans to renovate St Paul’s Church that it “can’t wait forever” for a sustainable business plan to be drawn up.

Councillors rubber-stamped proposals for the St Paul’s Shared Fitness Space Community Interest Company (CIC) to be given four months to provide a firmer business plan and find alternative sources of funding for the former church earlier this week.

Leader of the Vale Council, Cllr Neil Moore, said that the social enterprise must ensure the plans were “solid and had a justifiable business case in order to move forward”.

Penarth Amateur Boxing Club has branded the decision to provide a four month extension for plans to be drawn up an “election stunt” and warned that the future of the Arcot Street building is still in doubt after the general election.

Kevin Seal, from Penarth Amateur Boxing Club, said they would support the St Paul’s Shared Fitness Space Community Interest Company up to a certain point, but they were concerned that the council would still not approve of the plans if they were deemed not sustainable.

During the cabinet meeting on Monday Councillor Gwyn John said that the St Paul’s social enterprise should be given four months to provide further information about its bid, and that it should ensure that it provides for the boxing club in the building.

Penarth councillor Lis Burnett said she was “delighted” to see progress occurring for the former church.

She added: “I’m particularly pleased that the progress has come from the community itself with the formation of a community interest company (CIC) who have the needs of the local residents at heart.”

Cllr Burnett (St Augustine’s ward) added she was “disappointed” that the boxing and gymnastics clubs did not participate in the marketing process, but said she was pleased that the proposals would still cater for the boxing club.

Leader of the council, Cllr Neil Moore, said that the social enterprise needed to ensure the plans were “solid and had a justifiable business case in order to move forward”.

He added: “This gives them the opportunity, but we can’t wait forever. It’s up to the board to decide if it’s reasonable.”

The St Paul’s Shared Fitness Space Community Interest Company (CIC) now has four months to develop a revised Business Plan, provide evidence of funding from other bodies, and provide revised finalised outline scheme concept drawings together with more robust itemised cost estimates (from a Quantity Surveyor).

The four month deadline may be extended by the Project Board, but due to the deteriorating condition of this property any extension will be subject to ‘reasonable limits’.

Penarth Amateur Boxing Club and Penarth Gymnastics Club were both based at the building until they were forced out in 2011 on health and safety grounds.

They had been promised the building after planned repair work and a public consultation found that 62 per cent of local people were in favour of the two clubs being based there.

But they failed to reach an agreement with the council over the redevelopment, and it was subsequently put on the market by estate agents Savils in a bid to find a provider for community facilities.