Buckden Marina saved as demolition plans rejected

Plans to demolish the site to build new holiday flats have been refused after community backlash.

Huntingdonshire District Council has refused a planning application to knock down the Buckden Marina and Leisure Club in order to build 20 holiday apartments.

Members of the public said the leisure centre had been an “asset to the village” up until it closed, raising concerns about losing the facility forever if the holiday flats were built.

However, the developer, Buckden Properties Ltd, said the leisure centre would not re-open, and that the building itself was becoming “dilapidated”.

What Buckden Properties Ltd had to say:

“The use of the existing leisure club building ceased several years ago and the condition of the building has deteriorated since that time, and it has become somewhat dilapidated.

“Bearing in mind the renovation works required, the effects of the Covid pandemic and the extremely high running costs of such a venture, it was considered that a new use needed to be found, which was compatible with the existing tourist lodges and facilities.

“The development now proposed presents an opportunity to provide an extension to the existing tourist offer in a purpose-built attractively designed waterside building.”

The proposals were objected to by Buckden Parish Council, with 94 members of the public also submitting objections to the district council.

One person said they had used the leisure centre right up to the day it closed.

They said: “This is a unique and wonderful place which cannot be matched by any other local space for its beautiful location and atmosphere".