Concerns have been raised that Falmouth's leisure centre could be sold off for redevelopment if Cornwall Council decides it should close.

The council's Cabinet is set to meet tomorrow (March 4th) to consider the future of Ships and Castles Leisure Centre in the town.

Council officers have recommended that the council should close the centre at the end of March after stating in a report that no viable bids to take over the centre had been received.

A community interest company – Pendennis Leisure – had submitted a bid to takeover Ships and Castles but the council claims that this would require a long-term financial subsidy, which the company says is "misleading".

Pendennis Leisure was set up to not only keep the leisure centre open but also prevent the site from being sold off for redevelopment either for luxury homes or holiday accommodation.

In the council report going to the Cabinet it recommends approval:

"That alternative options be developed for leisure provision for the Falmouth and Penryn area which may include the disposal of the Falmouth Ships and Castles site."

Some fear that this could mean that the site could be sold for redevelopment – an adjoining patch of land on Pendennis Headland was put up for sale last year for potential development with a price tag of £2million.

Ben Leach from Pendennis Leisure said when the company was formed to help save the leisure centre:

"We have realised that the only way for Falmouth and Penryn and the surrounding areas to keep a public pool and leisure facilities and save the headland from private housing or hotel development would be to keep Ships & Castles running.

"We are not saying that Ships & Castles is perfect but we need to get behind the efforts to save it before we can start to address any issues.

"The real threat is that Cornwall Council could sell it for millions of pounds and huge luxury homes would go up there and the headland would be lost forever.

"Some people really want to protect the pool, others want to protect the headland but we need to do both."

Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory has urged the council Cabinet to keep Ships and Castles open but said that if the site is sold then the council should consider giving first refusal to Falmouth Town Council and the university.

She added:

"If the site is to be sold on the open market can I please have a commitment that any funds generated from the sale will be earmarked to contribute towards providing another leisure centre and swimming pool facility in Falmouth?"

Cornwall Council's Cabinet will meet at County Hall tomorrow (March 4th) at 10am to decide on the future of the leisure centre. The meeting will be live-streamed online.

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