Labour representatives will meet with New Earswick Indoor Bowling Club next week to discuss its future after Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust submitted plans to demolish its home to make way for an alternative use.

Labour has also sought a meeting with the Trust to discuss its plans, but says the club is not expendable.

The council’s main opposition Labour Group Leader, Cllr Claire Douglas said:

“Labour is keen to find a way to ensure the Bowling Club has a home for the future, whether in its current location or through re-provision nearby.  New affordable housing is obviously hugely beneficial, but if we accept the argument new housing trumps other uses, then we become a society where people have nothing to do outside of work.  

“Sports and leisure activities are vitally important for everyone, and particularly so for older people who are constantly being encouraged to remain active and to socialise.

“The loss of the bowling club would be a hammer blow to its hundreds of members following this advice to live healthy lives.  We need to find a solution quickly before it’s too late for the Huntington and New Earswick community”.

The site at Tanner’s Yard, off Huntington Road, contains three units, which JRHT intends to demolish and replace with new homes and offices.  As well as the potential loss of the bowling club, business space and jobs will also be lost if the proposal gets the go ahead through the planning process.

Local Labour community activist for Huntington and New Earswick, Hughie Ferguson, is fighting the proposal.  He said:

“The loss of the bowling club would be a disaster for the local community.  Bowling is a big part of what takes place there but it’s not the only activity.  There is bingo, slimming world sessions and mixed community sports for all ages, to name but a few.

“As an organisation people expect to have a social conscience, it’s a shock to learn Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust wants to flatten the bowling club’s home without any discussion about the impact this would have on the local community.  Rowntree himself worked to provide for the community, whereas this feels like the complete opposite.  

“I’ll be working hard to find an alternative home for the club if the Trust is unwilling to reconsider, but it’s not too late for it to think again on this damaging proposal”.