I am writing in response to Mr Marshall’s letter about the Ark Theatre (‘Time to put right the wrong the council did’, Your Views, January 23).
The Ark is a high-quality, 250-seat theatre and hub for local groups, offering entertainment for the wider community to enjoy. Although it’s attached to Hertswood Academy, the school only uses it during weekdays and on a limited number of evenings.
Furthermore, the council has, in recent months, provided financial support by way of a one-off discretionary grant of £25,500 to enable it to maintain its programme of activities until August. Any replacement for the Ark as part of the proposed Hertswood redevelopment would need to be at least as large as the existing theatre and the plans to date are for a larger facility that would improve what is already in place.
Finally, I would like to reassure Mr Marshall that, as a council, we have been keen to emphasise the importance of the Ark as a community facility as a requirement of any redevelopment scheme and will continue to do so.
Councillor Harvey Cohen
Con/Elstree Portfolio holder for planning and localism, Hertsmere Borough Council
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