A COMMUNITY centre is under threat because a housing group is putting profits before people, campaigners have warned.

Cotman Housing Association wants to take over about half of the Hythe Community Centre, in Ventura Drive, from July 1.

The organisation – which paid 28 per cent of the cost of the development which the centre was a part of – wants to move its regional offices into the north half the centre, leaving centre bosses fearing for its financial future.

The Hythe Community Centre has been managed by charity group the Hythe Community Centre Association since it opened in 2001.

The northern part of the centre, which the housing association has rights to, caters for a number of voluntary and faith groups, as well as toddler and youth clubs and neighbourhood action panels.

Centre manager Sareena Cobden warned the move could destroy the community.

She said: “We have begged their board to reconsider and also asked them to give us the opportunity to try to buy the centre from them, but they are adamant theywant to move in.

“They are putting profits before people. We want to hire youth workers and re-open our youth clubs and organise events, but the loss of space and income limits us.

“It means we cannot plan ahead and our groups are having to move out and look for space elsewhere.”

Themove would mean a loss of about 20 per cent in income, but Mrs Cobden said supporters are more worried about the loss to the community.

In 2001, the northern part of the centre had been set aside for a health centre, but it never opened.

After extensive negotiations, in 2009, it was agreed the community association would be allowed to use the whole of the building to increase the activities and space on offer to residents.

Since then, the association has spent £8,000 on renovation.

Anita Cleary, a director at community group Hythe Forward, said: “We’re all about making the Hythe a safe, attractive and prosperous place to live.

“This means building on our assets and there’s no doubt the community centre is central to our plans.

“It is currently financially viable and is home to a range of services that make a really important difference to people’s lives.”

She added the move will be “vigorously challenged”.

'Decision wasn't taken lightly'

A spokesperson for Cotman Housing Association said: “Hythe Community Centre, which is managed by Cotman Housing Association, is made up of the west and east side of the building.

“As well as occupying the eastern side of the building as per their tenancy agreement, Hythe Community Centre Association has benefitted from using the west side of the building since 2008.

"On the basis that we wish to reclaim this space, we have agreed to forego the rent that would otherwise have been due for their occupation.

“Hythe Community Centre Association has been given six months’ notice to vacate the west side of the building. This does not affect their occupancy of the eastern side of the building which will continue as per their tenancy agreement.

"As well as this, they can also continue to use an external garage space free of charge.

“As a social housing provider, we have a duty of care to our customers to achieve value for money.

"Our Colchester staff will be relocating from a rented office into the west side of the building – making our Colchester office more accessible to Cotman customers living on the adjacent Hythe estate.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and we appreciate that this is disappointing for Hythe Community Centre Association and other local organisations.

"We initially advised them of our intentions in the summer of 2014 and have maintained an open dialogue.

"We will continue to support them during the transition period.”