A Whitwick councillor has moved to ease concerns that the former Hermitage Leisure Centre was being used by members while it was in an unsafe condition.

At a heated feedback session last week, organised by North West Leicestershire District Council, local residents were told that the centre, which is now boarded up and out of use, was in a 'dangerous' state and had been condemned to be demolished.

The building closed when the new £22.5million, state of the art Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre opened in February.

But concerns were voiced at the meeting that, if the Hermitage was in such a bad way, why were people still allowed to use the facility as recently as four months ago.

However, Cllr Stuart Gillard says he wants to put people's minds at rest over the reasons why it has now been declared not fit for public use.

He said: "The Hermitage was built and added to over a number of years.

"As it was, before February, the building was safe for people to use.

"But there have been suggestions that it could be taken over for community use, which would involve converting some of the existing building.

"If that happened, then yes, it would be unsafe and there would be danger involved.

"You cannot just move in and start redesigning the place. That's why it would be dangerous and that's why it cannot just be handed over.

"As has been mentioned, to make the building safe in terms of keeping it as a leisure centre, would cost in the region of £2.5millon."

Cllr Gillard also suggested that the plan to turn the building into a parkour venue and community cafe were unworkable.

He added: "it's like me moving into your house and asking you to pay when things go wrong. It wouldn't happen.

Cllr Gillard says that the Coalville CAN proposal also wanted to build flats on the tennis court area.

Cllr Stuart Gillard

Plans to build retirement bungalows for local people over-55 on the site are currently favoured by councillors.

Cllr Gillard added: "The proposal is that they are built by the council and would be rented by the council, so they'd be affordable and within walking distance to the local shops, pubs, hairdressers and would be a fantastic opportunity to go for steady walks around the lake and enjoy their retirement.

"The car parks will remain free of charge and stay as they are. It's the same with the fields and 3g pitches, with some future upgrades. 

"The site does not fall on the green wedge."

"Also, when the old site is demolished it will be greened over until a decision is made. But for how long is unknown at this stage."

The council's online consultation is now live and you can find details of how to air your views HERE.