Ref. 75833-9CHILDREN in Toothill could lose their youth club because the council wants to build houses there.

Last week we reported the club feared it might lose its premises, but no explanation had been given by Swindon Council.

The Toothill Junior Youth Club, based in the Toothill Farm Social Centre, in Bodiam Drive, faces an uncertain future now the site has been designated for housing in Swindon's draft local plan.

Club organisers were devastated when they found out.

Treasurer Mavis Read said: "We had a call on Thursday to confirm our bookings for the next 48 weeks so we knew we were safe for at least a year.

"Then we found out there had been a change in the town draft plan and the land had been designated as a provisional housing site.

"The draft plan has not been approved it is in the consultation stage but we think we've missed our chance to object.

"The council previously told us there was no planning permission for housing on the site but they didn't tell us it was in the process of being redesignated. We're bitterly disappointed and are writing a letter to our MP, Julia Drown."

The youth club is used by 36 children aged five to 12 years every Friday, from 7-9pm. A Scout group also meets at the site.

Mavis says the youth club is far too valuable a community asset to lose and that local people will be up in arms if it closes.

"This is one of the safest places for children to play in Toothill," she said.

"They play together, do craft activities, cooking and games and we've got out own disco equipment.

"This week we will be celebrating the Chinese New Year.

"The youth club is an important facility and a valued part of the community. We have 36 members and quite a lot of people are very upset that it could close."

A Swindon Council spokesman said: "The council is doing a property review, the results of which are going forward in a report to cabinet in March or April and depending on the outcome of that cabinet meeting we will decide the future of Toothill Farm.

"It is designated for housing in the draft local plan but it will still have to go through the usual planning procedures and consultations."

Diana Milne