More than 50 community and voluntary groups from the town’s Phoenix House have been saved from eviction for the next three years.

Last week the News Extra reported how rumours were circulating that Kent County Council (KCC) had agreed to extend the lease on the building in Central Avenue, until February 2017.

It followed a meeting between KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter, centre manager Sara Seabridge and members of the Service Users’ Action Group at County Hall, Maidstone.

But neither parties would confirm the news at the time but an official announcement has now been made.

Cllr Carter said: “The county council have always recognised the important role that groups like those that current use Phoenix House play in providing valuable support services to communities and have been working with all parties for some time to find a way forward.

“Following very productive talks I am pleased to confirm KCC has offered to extend their right to occupy Phoenix House after the current lease expires in February 2014.

“However, both KCC and the group understand that Phoenix House will ultimately be an important component of the Spirit of Sittingbourne [regeneration] project and therefore the new lease is to be regarded as an interim solution until the site is required for re-development.

“With this in mind, KCC has also offered to assist Swale Community Centres (SCC) to establish a long-term property solution.”

SCC, which has been operating the facility for more than 25 years, was served notice on the tenancy of the building in September last year.

KCC said Phoenix House had been earmarked as a temporary base for the Sittingbourne Adult Education Centre as its College Road premises are no longer fit for purpose.

A letter has been sent out to staff and students at Sittingbourne Adult Education Centre confirming the facility won’t be moving to the centre.

It reads: “It is proposed that adult education and head office will move out of the College Road site and relocate to a new site in Sittingbourne. This will not happen until alternative premises can be found.

“KCC has plans to dispose of the site as part of planned measures to resolve budgetary pressures within the authority.

“Any move would take place, if at all possible, over the summer period and would not impact classes. We have no plans to cease Adult Education in Sittingbourne.”