END OF THE ROAD?
ACCESS problems could force Tintwistle folk to find a new home for their badly needed community centre.
The £200,000 building is due to go up on land behind Tintwistle Villa’s pitch at the bottom of West Drive.
But Derbyshire County Council’s Highways officers say the access is too narrow.
They say the only way to widen it would be by reducing the size of Villa’s pitch.
But Villa - which has been a village institution for generations - say that would mean them being kicked out of the league.
Parish councillors fear it’s a stalemate situation which could see them having their planning plea for the centre refused.
This would then lose them the £50,000 given by the Football Foundation towards the centre which would also have changing rooms.
Parish council chairman Bill Clarke said: “We have already spent between £10,000 and £12,000 (on preparations for the centre).
“Highways are unhappy with the visibility (from the access).
“If it does not go-ahead we will lose the £50,000.”
Councillors are planning talks aimed at resolving the access problem.
In case they fail, they are looking at other plots of land where the building could go.
With those being few and far between, they are planning to approach United Utilities who own the land on Sexton Street which is the home of the parish hall.
The council has always wanted to put the community centre there, but because the lease runs out in a few years, they decided to look for somewhere more permanent.
But with the West Drive land a possible non-starter, they could be back at square one.
Councillors feel an alternative site for the centre could be close to the tennis courts at end of the track from Sexton Street.
Cllr Pat Jenner, High Peak’s new Mayor, said it was imperative that the village has a community centre and village hall.
