A deal to demolish a community centre and transfer the site to a housing association has been approved by a council in return for a new �1.5m centre.

The decision to transfer Westmill Community Centre to North Herts Homes (NHH) in return for a new community facility was made last Thursday at a meeting of the full North Herts District Council.

The move is part of a wider regeneration scheme for the area which would see the new community centre built on the site of a row of shops in John Barker Place, which in turn would be rebuilt on a nearby play area. A total of 70 new affordable homes are also included in the plan.

Although approved in principal, NHH are waiting for a national spending revue expected next month before applying for government funding for the scheme.