A dance teacher has said she may be forced to close her business if Medway Council go ahead with plans to sell a community centre in Walderslade.

Debbie Anderson, pictured, principal of The Anderson School of Dance, has been running classes at Hook Meadow Community Centre in King George Road for 18 years.

The 39-year-old said she may be forced to close if the council goes ahead with a proposal to sell off the centre for redevelopment.

Plans to sell off a number of community centres and car parks including Hook Meadow Community Centre, the disabled car park behind the King’s Head pub in Rochester and the White Road Community Centre in Chatham, were approved by the cabinet in June. Medway Labour called in the decision due to concerns over a lack of public consultation and the proposal was brought up again in August but councillors again gave approval.

But Miss Anderson has set up a petition to save the Walderslade centre, which has been signed by around 250 people. She said: “The council thinks the library doesn’t make enough money and its not cost-effective but Hook Meadow gets a huge amount of inquiries and is used by so many people.

“My dance school has been there for 18 years but I might have to close as every local hall already has a dance group and then I have to fit my nights in, and see if pupils can get there.”

The council has invited community groups to a meeting at the centre on Friday, 4.30pm to 6pm. A later announcement will also be made about the date for a meeting where residents can air their views about the possible closure.

A meeting for community groups who use White Road Community Centre in Chatham is also being held today, Wednesday, 4.30-6pm.

A Medway Council spokesman said: “We have invited users of Hook Meadow hall to a meeting to discuss ideas for the future of the centre.

"There are no plans to close the hall, in fact we are looking at replacing it with new purpose built facilities, and the idea is to provide temporary buildings for the community to use if works go ahead.

"Depending on feedback from the community engagement meeting, we could look at developing a community hub, space for local community groups, changing rooms and more.

"To make the most of the site there may be an opportunity to incorporate housing onto the site, perhaps built on top of the community facilities, subject to planning permission."