THE man whose vision for a new leisure centre in Harrow which has had to be scrapped has expressed his disappointment.

Councillor Chris Mote had spearheaded the project to build a new Harrow Leisure Centre, and replace Byron Hall with a new entertainment venue.

However, the credit crunch has devalued land Harrow Council was hoping to flog to fund the project, and it has had to scrap the whole idea.

Cllr Mote said: “Of course I’m disappointed, but I’m realistic.

“It is not going to happen for the foreseeable future, and until things change and land value recovers, it’s a complete no-no.”

The Harrow Times two weeks ago revealed the problems the council was having funding their £37.2m plans, which would have included building a new Harrow Leisure Centre as a centrepiece of a redeveloped and improved Byron Park, in Christchurch Avenue.

The council would have had to sell part of Byron Park and the Gayton Road Library site, and Cllr Mote said he was not prepared to do this at a knock-down price.

An annoucement last night finally put an end to the project, which had caused controversy among sports users who did not like the leisure plans.

Squash players had said they would be forced to leave the borough if the new centre was built due to the reduction of courts.

Cllr Mote was leader of the council when the leisure centre idea was first floated, and despite battling the squash players for several months, said he was happy for them now.

He said: “They will carry on as they are.

“I think they will be happy, and if they keep on coming and bringing in revenue, I will be happy as well.”