SENIOR councillors in Poole have given the green light to plans to replace a “no longer fit-for-purpose” skills centre with a new facility and residential development.

On Tuesday, members of Poole council’s cabinet approved a £200,000 budget for a full business case to be drawn-up to rebuild Oakdale Adult Learning Centre.

It is estimated that the full project will cost the council between £5.6 million and £6.2 million, depending on the type of housing built on the site.

The centre was built in 1906 and a cabinet report said that a “considerable” amount of work was required to enable it to stay open.

It is forecast that the council would need to spend £500,000 on essential maintenance work at the site over the next five years and that that sum “does not address overall design and appearance limitations”.

An outline business case was produced last year at a cost of £70,000 and put forward two options for the future of the centre – refurbishment and extension or its replacement.

On Tuesday, the council’s cabinet agreed to push forward with the option to rebuild the facility on the advice that it would provide “greater long-term overall benefits and value for money”.

It would also see the adjacent council-owned sites in Wimborne Road and Darby’s Lane developed.

Cllr John Challinor, said: “The current Oakdale Skills and Learning Centre is the service headquarters and is extremely well-used and its location is vital to its success.

“The current building was built in 1906 and is no longer fit-for-purpose.

“We will ensure that it continues to be operational for existing learners but the level of work required to bring it back up to a modern standard would not be viable.

“We recognise the importance of retaining this valuable service and so the proposal to develop a purpose-built modern facility makes both financial and practical sense.

“A new adult skills academy building would be a real asset for the whole community.”

Following its completion, the full business case will be considered by the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council for a decision on whether to go ahead with the development is made.