ECO-DISASTER
We were EVICTED for council to build £2.4m eco-friendly haven but it’s a disaster – they’ve u-turned on woke vegan menu
It will take the hub 16 years to make up the cost of building it
FUMING locals who were evicted so their council could build a £2.4million eco-friendly haven say it's a disaster.
The eco-hub opened on Bournemouth seafront in February last year after 11 beach huts were razed to make way for it.
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New figures reveal that the green education centre and cafe made just £144,000 in its first year.
At this rate, it will take the hub 16 years to make up the cost of building it.
Evicted beach hut tenants blasted the hub after its measly turnover was revealed.
Samantha Murphy claimed she was given nowhere else to go when her hut was knocked down.
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She said: "We lost our beach hut for this."
The hub had a bumpy start when officials scrapped the cafe's vegan menu and brought in crowd-pleasing meat dishes.
Conference rooms were built to "educate about waste" - but they have not been booked a single time since opening.
Other locals accused the council of wasting their money at a time when children's services are being cut and potholes go unrepaired.
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Stephanie Rowse said: "Why do councils take it upon themselves to spend vast amounts of money that benefits no one?"
Maurice Sanger said: "It's an absolute waste of our money."
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The hub is built from recycled materials and boasts solar panels and a living roof.
Another purpose of the hub is to store some of the 2,000 tonnes of waste council litter-pickers collect on the seafront each year.
In its first year, the hub has held 46 tonnes of contaminated sand and 52.8 tonnes of general waste.
Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities said: “The construction of the Durley Chine Environmental Hub was funded by an external government grant of £2.4million from the Coastal Communities Fund.
“This grant is non-repayable and was awarded as part of a scheme to help coastal communities flourish.
“The catering revenue generated by the Durley Chine Hub Kiosk supports the delivery of seafront services.
“A section of the 2-storey building currently provides welfare facilities for staff dealing with waste from the beach. Our teams remove around 2,000 tons of waste every year, with most left during the summer.
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“For now, we continue to work on developing a plan for the efficient use of the room space. This aim must be sustainable over the long-term and needs to be cost-effective for the council at this uncertain time, when it is vital to prioritise spending on the most vulnerable in our community.”
“The long-term aim for the Hub remains to develop the venue into an education space for residents, visitors, schools and families to drive a step change in behaviour and build environmental guardianship of our coastline.”
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