New community status for Brendon's centre?

NEW MOVE TO GIVE 'VITAL' ST ANN'S FACILITY EXTRA PROTECTION

- By OSCAR FISHER

A "VITAL" St Ann's sports centre could be given greater protections under new plans to make it an asset of community value.

Brendon Lawrence Sports Centre is also a "hub of social connection, physical and mental wellbeing, and youth engagement".

It was opened and named after 16-year-old Brendon Lawrence, who was shot as he sat in his cousin's car on February 19, 2002.

His death was the first of a wave of shootings in the city.

The centre is run by the Renewal Trust, a community development charity based in St Ann's and Sneinton, which has now nominated the facility to get greater protections under law.

If Nottingham City Council agrees to designate it an asset of community value, it will mean that if the land is put up for sale it will be subject to more development restrictions and community groups will be given the first chance to bid.

A number of organisations in the city have written in support of the nomination.