PLANS to go-ahead with the £180k refurbishment of the pavilion at Fordingbridge recreation ground have been given the green-light.

Fordingbridge Town Council voted unanimously to proceed with the project at its annual town meeting on Wednesday (May 13).

The estimated cost of the refurbishment is £180,000. £125,000 of section 106 money, which is contributions from developers, will partly fund the project.

The meeting heard the policy and finance committee in February voted to proceed with a “scaled back” single story extension and refurbishment of the pavilion, which needed to be agreed by the council.

Mayor Edward Hale said: “I think that is a really important thing for us to move forward with.”

On May 6, councillors voted to approve a quote of £3,500 plus VAT for BrightSpace architects to produce plans to go out to tender.

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Speaking at that meeting, Councillor Malcolm Adams said: “We’ve put an enormous amount of effort in. This is probably the last time they will have the chance for funds to go ahead. It is going to go on indefinitely if we don’t do it now.

“I would like us to go ahead and put every effort in to get it done for the present generation. We are considering people using it now.”

Councillor Pete White added: “This is a really good opportunity for Fordingbridge Town Council to actually give something back to the town and I think it would be really well received.”

However, Councillor Mike Jackson raised concerns about proceeding with the project without considering other options and consulting with residents but was told the matter had been debated and voted on previously.

The meeting also heard the allocation of funds for the pavilion had been approved by NFDC and could potentially be lost as it would have to be reallocated.

Councillor Jackson at the meeting last week said he was “happy” for it to go ahead but added: “I’m in favour of moving forward on it. There’s other issues there.”