A PENARTH ‘Green Flag’ park’s pavilion is set for a £680,000 revamp.

People’s views are being sought on plans to replace the Belle Vue Pavilion, in Belle Vue Park in central Penarth, with a new building.

The council says the current pavilion is “reaching the end of its physical life” and has launched a consultation over possibly replacing it.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council says on its website: “Belle Vue Park is a small late-Victorian ‘Green Flag’ park in central Penarth, which benefits from a play area, art works, ornamental flower beds, tree and shrub plantings, a bowling green and associated pavilion.

“The purpose of this consultation is to capture residents’ views on the possible future uses of Belle Vue Pavilion.

“The building has historically solely served the bowls club as a club house with changing facilities, but over the last 15 years or so it has also been used by the Friends of Belle Vue for events and for wider community activities.

“The council would like to replace the building with a modern yet sympathetically designed building, appropriate to the surrounding historic environment and conservation area, and potentially for multiple users.”

But the move was met with criticism from some.

Campaign group Penarth Matters said in a statement: “The Vale council’s survey wants residents’ views on their plan to replace the existing building with a modern one.We could end up with a modern eyesore despite the conservation designation.”

Penarth Bowling Club secretary Colin Scammell welcomed development though, as long as it was faithful to the existing building, saying: “We haven’t seen any plans from the council yet, but I believe the front of the building is a listed development.

“The clubhouse needs refurbishing, and so long as they retain the front of the building, with its historical significance, we’ll be happy.”

The council says the project would be funded by section 106 contributions from developers. A consultation is being held on the council’ website, while a drop-in session was held at St Augustine’s Parish Hall on January 31.