Plans to demolish a former leisure centre to build new holiday flats have been refused after community backlash that saw more than 90 objections lodged. 

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”. 

In planning documents submitted to the district council the developer said: “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 they had “wonderful memories” there and had still not joined another centre as “nothing really compares”. 

They said: “This is a unique and wonderful place which cannot be matched by any other local space for its beautiful location and atmosphere. It is an asset to the village and absolutely should be preserved for the many who value it rather than being sacrificed for the few to profit from.” 

Another person said: “The loss of the gym, pool and wellbeing services as originally provided could not have come at a worse time as our local community’s general health is under ever increasing pressure.” 

The district council decided to refuse the application citing a number of concerns, including the loss of the leisure facilities. 

A report published by the district council said: “The proposal is for holiday apartments within the open countryside. The application is not supported by a robust business plan demonstrating that it is viable in the long term. 

“The proposal includes the loss of leisure facilities, which were open to the public. Therefore, the leisure facilities are considered to be a local service/community facility. Insufficient information has been submitted with the application to justify the loss of the local service/community facility. 

“The proposed building by virtue of its form, scale and massing would be out of keeping with adjacent existing buildings in the marina and therefore would not recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside or would not lead to a clear and substantial enhancement of the immediate setting.”