CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a leisure centre from being turned into houses were left “frustrated” when their petition was rejected – thanks to a loophole.

People had pounded the streets trying to gather support to save Ongar Leisure Centre and more than 2,500 signed an online petition on 38Degrees.

But Epping Forest District Council refused to accept it as it hadn’t been sent through their official website.

Lisa Alborough, one of the driving forces behind the campaign, said: “It’s very disappointing. We were unaware of this rule.

“Months of work has gone into this petition and raising awareness. We just cannot understand why the council can’t accept this trusted website.”

The authority is planning on bulldozing the centre and replacing it with 24 flats as part of its Local Plan.

If the plans go ahead, it will build a brand new centre in North Weald to replace it – some six miles away.

But this would make it difficult for people without cars and children who can’t yet drive to get to alone.

Mrs Alborough, a property developer, lives in Chelmsford but the Ongar centre is “ideal” as it is only four miles away from where she lives.

The 40-year-old added: “This doesn’t just work for Ongar residents, it’s perfect for people like me, too.

“I’ll admit it’s old and needs some work to it. They think we need a new, sparkly, massive big one in North Weald however most people we speak to aren’t fussed on some big, new place.

“Everyone is saying it will be just another lost part of the village. There will be nothing left here now.”

The centre includes a number of facilities, such as one of three swimming pools in the Epping district and netball court.

Sport England has now been called in to assess how well-used the facility is based on the strength of feeling.

People started the campaign back in February when they learnt the centre had been labelled as a possible site for new homes.

Former Ongar councillor Mary Dadd said: “It was frustrating when they didn’t accept the petition – they put a lot of effort into that.

“The council are just getting bogged down with red tape.”

Ms Dadd, who is also chairman of the local working party plan at Ongar Town Council, also said letters put in alongside the petition have still not been replied to.

She added the plans were “short sighted” and haven’t been thought through.

“The campaign has grown from strength to strength. There’s been a ground swell of disquiet,” she said. “There’s a clear indication people want this leisure centre. Taking leisure centres and community facilities away goes against the grain.”

Leader of the Epping District Council, councillor Chris Whitbread, said: “The draft Local Plan is a different process to identify potential places for new housing.


 “Our district has a serious housing shortage and Ongar could offer an opportunity for some additional much needed homes although it is also true to say many more are proposed in other parts of the district.

“I think it is also important to be clear on the level of consultation on the draft local plan. We did everything we could to publicise it.

“A letter in response to the Save Ongar Leisure groups concerns is being prepared.”

Support the campaign here.