TUNBRIDGE Wells Borough Council is still determined to demolish the Calverley Grounds bandstand saying it is in "total disrepair".

The Kent and Sussex Courier was invited to inspect the condition of the landmark with council leader Cllr Roy Bullock and head of leisure services Nigel Bolton this week.

The council's resolute stance on bulldozing the historic structure without any plan to replace it, despite almost 2,000 signatures on the Save Our Bandstand campaign, has infuriated Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.

Chairman Dr Alastair Tod said: "Decisions about the replacement should be taken before demolishing the present limited but well-loved structure.

"Demolition first, we feel, would close options about its replacement."

Cllr Bullock made his feelings known on the future of the bandstand at the site meeting on Tuesday.

He said: "My personal view in the year 2009 for that space is that a bandstand would be very limiting.

"We have to look at what the future demands are in the park.

"If you are going to invest public money for it to just be a feature in the park, it has to be functional as well.

"With a clear space, visiting performers can bring their own equipment and erect their own stages. It would make it more versatile.

He added: "The council has an influencing power.

"It is part of our job to influence people. Like with moving to the Gateway and with recycling. That is our role. At the same time we have a representative role."

Dr Tod said Cllr Bullock had already made up his mind.

"It appears from his comments that a decision has already been taken – there is to be no replacement but a cleared space.

"But a bandstand is basically just a covered stage and with only small adjustments can be made suitable for a wide variety of entertainment."

Head of leisure services Nigel Bolton talked through the problems of repairing the landmark on Tuesday.

He said: "The stone cladding base is the only original from when it was bombed.

"This is a very wide base. The columns are much shorter than the original, they came from the pavilion and the roof was boxed together in the 1950s.

"The columns have rusted and cracked the stone work in the corners.

"The original steel beams below the stand have rusted beyond repair and have collapsed completely in some places.

"It will clearly become unsafe very soon.

"Structurally there is nothing left to repair. We temporarily put in blocks of wood in 2006 to keep it safe."

Mr Bolton added everything, from the floor to the roof would need to be renewed, which is not cost effective, and said a new bandstand would be considered by the council.

He said: "There has been a lot of public interest in this and it is nice to know that people care about parks in Tunbridge Wells.

"We need to think carefully about people's views of what should be there.

"What we don't want to do is spend any more money on this structure because it is at the end of its serviceable life.

"We can't justify spending tax payers' money on it.

"Demolishing would leave an open space temporarily. It is like having a new canvas – we can do anything with it.

"The flavour of opinion is to have something like a bandstand.

"Because of the strength of feeling it is something we will have to seriously consider."