After months of fighting to save one of the last remaining community facilities in Ketley, discussions are said to be ‘coming to a positive conclusion’.
Parish councillors have revealed Telford & Wrekin Council officials are to sell the Holyhead Road Community Centre and lease the Youth Centre to the parish council.
John Roberts, Ketley parish clerk, said: “It is quite an exciting time for the parish.
“We have been offered a long term lease which is absolutely ideal.”
In February this year around 50 people packed into Ketley Community Centre to discuss the future of the building and the youth centre next door.
Councillor Andrew Eade, borough council leader, said Telford & Wrekin has agreed to sell the former infant school to Ketley Parish Council for ‘a nominal fee’ to use it as a parish council building and community centre.
A leasehold agreement has also been set up for the parish council to use the former nursery school as a youth centre.
Mr Roberts said: “People are not just concerned about what happens in the building but because of what it is.
“It is very much a building that belongs to everyone from Ketley. It was amazing meeting pensioners, and those from Age Concern, who remembered their teachers from the school and said ‘I remember Mrs So and So’.
“It is very important they keep the school.”
The centre has been the home of Ketley Parish Council since 2006.
A public meeting will take place today, Thursday, from 7pm at Ketley Community Centre for residents to find out more information and ask questions.
Councillor Eade said: “We have been working closely with the parish council to ensure that Ketley has important community facilities and I will be delighted when we are able to reach a joint agreement and help provide facilities that have been missing in Ketley for many years.”
