STUNNED community groups look set to be turfed out of their homes in ‘hushed plans’ to sell them off for housing.

Two ward councillors representing people living near Film Oxford, in Catherine Street, and the East Oxford Games Hall, in Collins Street, were unaware of Oxford City Council plans to demolish them.

And the users of the venues were not aware of the scheme until the Oxford Mail told them and revealed that an architect had already been appointed.

Under the plans, the two buildings will be turned into housing to pay for a revamped East Oxford Community Centre.

But the proposals also means East Oxford Community Association (EOCA), which had been running the Princes Street centre, will no longer be at the helm, with the council saying it would use its own “expertise” to run and promote the venue instead.

Community campaigner Chaka Artwell said it was “outrageous” the city council had hidden its plans from residents in the area.

He added: “Shocked does not even begin to describe it. I have not been told anything about and as far as I’m aware the trustees [of EOCA] did not even know about it.

“It’s come out of the blue. There’s been no consultation.

“It’s appalling that this is happening and I’m finding out from the Oxford Mail.”

The council invited applications from businesses wanting to take on the project on June 26.

City councillor for Iffley Fields Elise Benjamin said she was concerned the council proposals had been “kept quiet” and residents in the area had not been consulted.

She added: “It [the council’s proposals] makes a mockery of any suggestion the council would consult the community about the use of the building.

“Everyone knows we need housing but there needs to be a balance. These are all well-used facilities.

“There is already a lot of mistrust in the community because of Temple Cowley Pools and [the former] Cowley Community Centre and here you see the residents of East Oxford being hit by a council that seems to be interested in selling the community away to the highest bidder.”

Tom Nunn, of Abolição Oxford Capoeira – which has been using the East Oxford Games Hall four times a week for about 12 years –said the council had failed to tell him the dancers would need to find a new home.

Oxfordshire Mind wellbeing and service worker Lawrence Littledale said losing the sports hall to transform it into housing would have a “negative impact” on people with mental health problems who use the venue. 

In its document laying out the contract with the unnamed architect – due to start tomorrow – Oxford City Council said it would cost £1.5m to redevelop Princes Street’s East Oxford Community Centre.

It said plans for the community centre included a new multifunction hall, IT resource room, art rooms, a radio and film production room, meeting rooms, office space and a foyer with refreshments area for informal community meetings.

The architect will tell the council its “development options” for the current Film Oxford and East Oxford Games Hall sites by September 30, with both being deemed surplus to requirements with the new East Oxford Community Centre.

The council had told the community association that runs the centre last August it had a year to improve its management or face eviction, after having “serious concerns” about how the association was being run.

A reference group, which included members of EOCA, community centre users, councillors, the Chinese Community Centre, Film Oxford, the games hall and residents, was formed earlier this year to identify how the centre and its services should be developed.

But Christine Simm, board member for culture and communities, said the community association “fell short” of the council’s expected standards and confirmed officers would now take on the staff, the building and programme of activities.

She added: “The council will use staff and expertise from its leisure, sports and communities teams to bring in and promote new and exciting activities for the whole community.

“We’ve set aside £200,000 for a feasibility study to look at how we may improve the site. That work hasn’t happened yet, but when it does we will consult widely with the local community.”

Green councillors have launched a petition calling on the council to “think again” about its plans to “seize direct control” of the community centre and “rush through” its redevelopment proposals.

The city council did not respond to the Oxford Mail’s questions about it plans.

Spokesman Chofamba Sithole said: “A final decision on the redevelopment of the site is yet to be made and there are currently no details to share but when we have them we will happily share them with the Oxford Mail.”