Bridge centre could be sold

2:31pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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AN iconic building in Chippenham is to be sold off as part of a major plan to regenerate the town.

The Bridge Centre, on Bath Road, is currently up for sale as a joint lot with the Bath Road car park and has already generated interest from up-market supermarket chain Waitrose.

The news comes just days before the appeal by ASDA against North Wiltshire District Council to open a superstore in the town starts.

The Bridge Centre is currently the main base for youth and social groups in the town, but Wiltshire County Council, who own the building, will relocate these facilities to a new centre to be built at the Middlefield site on Hungerdown Lane.

The county council cabinet member for community services John Thomson said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the people in Chippenham, selling the Bridge Centre gives us the opportunity to look at innovative ways to provide services in the town.

"This redevelopment will provide a new and improved centre from which services can be provided for both young people and adults with learning disabilities.

"We will continue to consult with everyone who uses the Bridge Centre and Middlefield Centre of what is happening and promise that services will continue to be provided throughout this redevelopment."

The Bridge Centre is often thought as the gateway to Chippenham as all major roads in and out of the town meet at the centre, which is based upon a round about.

The possibility of a Waitrose store being built on the land was recently put into dispute when rival company Tesco bought the Somerfield building in the town along with a covenant on the Bath Road car park.

This prevents any other supermarket opening on that land.

It is thought that if the bid by Waitrose were successful, they would build a supermarket on the Bridge Centre site and keep the Bath Road land as a customer car park.

Leader of North Wiltshire District Council, who own the Bath Road site, Dick Tonge said: "We are really pleased that the joint site is being put on the market.

"We expect that this will lead to a better solution for Chippenham as opposed to piecemeal development.

"It is a great opportunity to improve and revitalise this part of the town."

Some parents of children belonging to the youth group at the Bridge Centre have expressed some concern about its relocation.

One mother, who wished to remain nameless said: "The Bridge Centre is ideal because it is in the centre of town and walking distance from the bus station if the kids are coming in from out of town.

"Hungerdown Lane is quite a walk and I would not be happy for my child to walk there and back alone.

"I readily admit that the centre is in need of revitalisation, but I do think this idea idea slightly dramatic."

Chippenham Town Council fully supports the decision to sell off the building.

Leader of the town council Andrew Noblet said: "The Bridge Centre has been an eyesore for many years and should be demolished and be replaced with something more suitable.

"The current building is well used by young people in the town and until alternative venues can be provided for them and other users, it should remain."