Cancer centre empty for 15 months

A NEW centre for breast cancer sufferers has stood empty for more than a year because of an argument over who owns it.

Fundraisers are furious that the Primrose Centre, completed in July last year, still cannot be put to use because of a dispute over rent.

The building, a former chapel near Farnborough originally owned by Bromley Hospitals NHS trust, was bought by property developer Barratts and donated to charity for use as a breast cancer centre.

Volunteers raised more than £500,000 to convert the building and fitted it with around £100,000 worth of furniture donated by high street shops. The Caron Keating Foundation , set up after the TV presenter died of breast cancer four years ago aged 41, also funded a room in her name.

But charity workers say they cannot use the building as the hospital will not hand them the deeds, and instead wants to charge them £40,000 a year rent for using it.

Mary Spinks, director of the Primrose Centre, said: "Breast cancer sufferers and their families and friends have to do without the centre that was paid for through our fund-raising. Barratts paid the full agreed sum for the building and land on the understanding it would pass to the charity."

She added: "It's an absolute disgrace that the new management at Bromley Hospitals NHS trust should have gone back on an agreement struck six years ago."

A spokeswoman for the trust insisted the building does not belong to the charity.

She added: "Bromley Hospitals NHS trust owns the freehold of the building, therefore lease arrangements need to be agreed before use."