COUNCIL leaders have been accused of letting a community pavilion go to “rack and ruin”.

Furious councillors in Christchurch have hit out at BCP Council over the management of a town centre public space.

While Christchurch Town Council owns and manages the quay, Mudeford recreation ground and cricket pitc, it is still waiting for the unitary authority to transfer Barrack Road recreation ground.

Councillor Avril Coulton, town council community committee chairman and mayor elect, said: “It seems that whilst BCP Council works out what to do with honouring legacy promises made to the town council in passing across outstanding assets, its approach is to not invest in Christchurch and let a well-loved recreation ground pavilion go to rack and ruin.

“This simply isn’t good enough and Christchurch deserves better.”

The pavilion at Barrack Road is currently in a sorry state of disrepair.

Its smashed windows have been boarded up but these have since been plastered with graffiti.

Residents have reported the inside of the building has also been vandalised.

BCP Council is believed to still be in the process of creating a full procedure or policy to carry out asset transfers to town, parish and village councils across the ancient borough and rural Bournemouth area of Throop and Holdenhurst.

Outgoing Mayor of Christchurch Sue Bungey added: “It has been three long years of inaction from BCP Council. So much so it is now questionable if the Barrack Road Pavilion is salvageable.

“It seems as if BCP Council assumes by not investing in Christchurch sites, the town council will get round to it upon transfer and sort out its mess.

"It’s sad to see that nothing has been done. The legal disposal and transfer of these sites should never take this long.”

The Daily Echo understands the issue has been raised at the Christchurch Citizens Association and the town council has also been approached by a football club looking for a new location and home.

Town clerk Dan Lucas said Christchurch Town Council is now dealing with complaints made to its councillors.

The Daily Echo approached BCP Council for comment, but at the time of going to print had not received a response.

Stay up to date with all the latest community news across Dorset with our dedicated Facebook group. Click here to find out more and join.