DISCUSSIONS have taken place, yet again, regarding the future of the Pitch and Putt site in Bude, writes Rosie Cripps.

During the recent Bude-Stratton full council meeting, councillors were presented with the confidential document to discuss.

Cllr Frank Partridge commented that the report was ‘weak’, and said: “Knock it down! We have the money to do it.”

Cllr Lee Bartrop was concerned that the council would make the wrong decision, demolishing something that could potentially be thought through more carefully. He said: “It’s a sensitive area, and I think we need to tread carefully. It’s okay to take ages, we need to keep thinking about it and come to a good decision. I also think we need to ask the people of Bude if they are going to like a proposal.”

Cllr Peter Moores said: “The Pitch and Putt is well past its sell-by-date; there’s no point trying to spend any more money on it.”

Cllr Alan Biggs was certain that the only way forward is to demolish the existing site. He said: “The existing building is falling down. Let’s get rid of it and spend some money to provide something for the town and locals. It does have a social element to it, and will have something nice there rather than an eyesore.”

However, other councillors were more reluctant to demolish the existing building, encouraging their fellow councillors to think more carefully about what could be done with the site.

Cllr Norman Tucker said: “It’s a big space. Someone, I would think, would come up with something for it.”

Cllr Bartrop reinforced his point. He continued: “Why not go out to the public and say ‘what do you want to do with it?’ It’s okay to take a bit longer, and it’s still useable.”

As recommended on the agenda, ‘the existing Pitch and Putt building be demolished and be replaced with a suitable fit for purpose building’, ‘the new build be in line with granted planning application, showing the building footprint and that tenders be sourced as per Public Contract Regulations’ and ‘that full council delegate the propoerties committee to carry out the ongoing works to the completion of the project’.

All was passed as proposed on the agenda, agreed by town councillors.