THE Woodroffe School has re-opened negotiations to take over the former Lyme Regis Club for Young People following a survey on the state of the building.

There is new hope this week to turn the boys club building into a youth centre by night and a school facility during the day.

Woodroffe was forced to pull out of negotiations in December after the building was deemed unfit for purpose by Dorset County Council, which would be responsible for the ongoing property maintenance.

But it has been announced this week that the potential for the school to use the Church Street facility as part of its extended schools programme ‘remains in place’. The result of the independent survey, commissioned by the county council has yet to be made public but is expected to show the building would need capital investment to bring it up to standard.

This week’s announcement comes as trustees of the Club for Young People have threatened to sell up unless the county council commits the cash needed.

Lyme Regis Development Trust is part of the Lyme Regis Youth Consortium, which is leading the discussions.

The trust’s development manager Marcus Dixon said: “Led by West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin, the Lyme Regis Youth Consortium has taken an important and positive step forward to re-establish a well resourced youth club for young people in Lyme Regis and surrounding area.

“The proposal to reopen the former boys club as a joint venture with the Woodroffe School and Children’s Services and the Club For Young People is being developed in parallel with discussions centred on opening the building during the day as part of extended schools programme and for the building to operate as a youth club in the evening.”

Woodroffe headteacher Dr Richard Steward has this week confirmed the school ‘fully supports the plan’.

Mr Letwin has described the proposed joint venture as a ‘fantastically important agenda’ and said he looks forward to co-operation between the partners to achieve a sensible solution.

The property survey was carried out by Symonds and Sampson and as promised by the county council, the results will be made public once it has been considered by the club trustees.

Tom Corban, Dorset County Council’s principal youth services officer, said: “An independent survey of the former boys club building has been completed and a report has been sent to the club's management committee, prior to this information being put into the public domain.”

Mr Dixon said: “It’s fair to say that it’s likely to be the case that the survey will indicate the building will need a capital investment if it is to be made fit for purpose in the way that is envisaged by the school and county children’s services.”

The Club for Young People president Ken Meech has now demanded swift action .

He has also issued an ultimatum and said the council must decide if it wants to concentrate its efforts on the boys club or InSPARation Youth Café in Church Street.

Mr Meech said: “I have written to the county council to ask if there is any capital expenditure available and if so, will they apply it to the Lyme Regis Club for Young People.”