SPRING Gardens Arts Centre could be demolished to make way for houses after the building's year-long lease expires.

Buckinghamshire County Council will apply for planning permission for the centre to be demolished and houses to be built. If that is successful the land will be sold to a private developer.

The centre closed earlier this year after the council withdrew funding.

Wycombe Arts Network and Ubiquitous Promotions, with £10,000 from Wycombe District Council, have managed to secure the lease of the building for 11 months from last Wednesday until the end of May 1999. It has been renamed Wycombe Arts Centre at Spring Gardens.

The county council will send its application to Wycombe District Council in the next month.

Arts-lovers are working to secure the future of arts in the area. Manya McMahon, of Wycombe Arts Network, said that Wycombe Arts Network were undertaking a feasibility study for the whole of the district to try to find out the opportunities for arts groups.

She said: "We will be holding focus groups to find out what people want that they haven't already got. This is to make sure the arts are allowed flourish in Wycombe."

Managing director of Ubiquitous Promotions, Nick Andrews, said he wants to establish a base where community groups can showcase their talents and work in the fields of theatre, dance, and visual art.

He said: "I became frustrated about the number of people who were being herded in from other parts of the country. I feel Wycombe Arts Centre should be for the local community.

"We are running two seasons of work, where the groups will be able to hire out the centre for £250 for the week. This will include the use of equipment, lighting, and rehearsal space."

The opening night of the new season at Spring Gardens is September 19.

A number of volunteer days are being held, where people can help set up equipment at the centre. The first volunteer day is July 19, with a volunteer weekend from August 15 to August 16 and the final volunteer day is September 19.

% To find out more about using the arts centre call Nick Andrews on (01494) 520817

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.