ANGER and disappointment has greeted outline proposals for replacement community facilities in one of Bexley’s neediest areas.

The proposals were outlined to Slade Green residents, who are to lose their current facilities at the Howbury Centre under Bexley Council’s Bexley First plans.

At a meeting of the area’s community forum, they were told they would be consulted again on proposals to reserve more than half-an-acre of the 19.8 acre Howbury Centre site in Slade Green Road, for community facilities.

The rest of the site will be sold to build at least 400 new homes and 3.9 acres of office space.

But the council’s director of public services, Paul Moore, came under fire when it was revealed there wold be far less space for community facilities in the proposed new building, even if it was two storeys high.

One puzzled volunteer community worker queried: “A smaller space with 400 more families? That cannot be right.”

Mr Moore said suggestions for what the community site could provide included a new library, dedicated youth space, a kitchen, meeting room and adult education.

On the first floor would be a dedicated area for the under-fives.

But he added: “What happens in the community space is yet to be decided by you and the council.”

Mr Moore said it was also suggested part of the site could accommodate two outdoor sports areas as well as parking.

Residents said the youth space would not be large enough and said many groups who currently use the Howbury Centre would have nowhere to meet and would not be able to afford a commercial rent.

And there no plans to replace the current centre’s sports hall - the most asked for facility during a previous round of consultations.

Mr Moore said Slade Green was more likely to get the use of a sports hall by sharing facilities with a proposed new combined infant and junior school on the adjoining site in Slade Green Road.

Angry volunteer community workers said they relied on the sports hall to provide football and games sessions for youngsters to keep them off the streets.

Mr Moore told the meeting: ”The challenge is how much space we can provide in the new building and what the council can afford.”

A new round of consultations will begin in the near future.