Latest news with #WychavonDistrictCouncil
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Street art opinions sought for Evesham's Abbey Bridge
A survey has been launched into proposals for new public artwork under a District Council said it was a "unique opportunity" for Evesham residents to share their ideas on what they would like to see created under Abbey Bridge, between Crown and Corporation from the two-week survey, which will start on Monday, will be used in a workshop where young people will collaborate with an artist to develop designs that "truly reflect the spirit of Evesham".Councillor Rob Adams said: "These artworks will be a fantastic enhancement to Evesham and provide another reason to explore our wonderful town." The artwork is expected to be installed in Spring 2026 and is being funded through the district council's share of the UK Shared Prosperity completed, the street art will enhance the community space, creating a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors alike, the council said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Free period products on offer across Wychavon public toilets
Free sustainable period products will be made available as part of a trial initiative across public toilets in a Worcestershire poverty charity Hey Girls have teamed up with Wychavon District Council to make the items free to access as part of a project to address the Beverley Hardman said she wanted to shift away from period poverty to advocate for "period dignity".She said: "It's about promoting a positive message, promoting a supportive environment, and empowering women while tackling the stigma associated with periods." The Conservative councillor added that the cost-of-living crisis significantly exacerbated economic hardship, forcing families to make tough choices between basic necessities."While Wychavon is generally considered an affluent area, it does have pockets of deprivation."We know that the demand for period products is there but, it's not just about addressing a lack of access; it's about creating a culture where periods are normalised, and no one feels shame or stigma. "It's not just about providing products; it's about showing we care," she the initial trial period, free period products will be available through free-to-use machines located in all female toilets in the district. Products are made from bamboo and will be made from certified organic cotton, the council said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Droitwich Spa leisure centre revamp set to begin
A £15m project to extend and revamp Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre is set to start this week. Plans to rebuild the existing centre were scrapped by the local authority last year, after estimated costs rose to £ District Council's plans for the site include a new learner pool, car park, cafe and reception area. There will also be a full refurbishment of the swimming pool and gym changing rooms. Work is due to be completed by November 2026. Plans for a new £300,000 skatepark near the leisure centre were also being finalised, said the council, with work expected to start by May 2026. A pump track is also planned for the site, with work starting once the skate park is built. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Man on housing wait list in Worcestershire sleeping in car
A man says he has had to sleep in a car for five months after being repeatedly turned down for a council Piggott, 58, said he contacted Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire, in December to inform them that he was expecting to be made homeless on 12 January this he said the local authority failed to offer him immediate support and had turned down his weekly bids for an affordable one-bedroom council said it had entered into negotiations with Mr Piggott for private rented housing, including an offer of support with rent and deposit. "I feel lower than ever and it feels like no-one is helping," Mr Piggott said. "I feel like I've done everything yet get no help back."My three kids used to stay with me when I had a caravan, now they can't and I miss them deeply." The 58-year-old said he had to leave his last private rental due to falling into arrears when he lost his marriage had also broken down, he said, and he had been unable to secure work due to stress and other mental health resulted in him spending days and nights in his car, parked in laybys across the county."I'm on Universal Credit now which is about £300 a month," he said."I can't afford regular take-out food. I did get a food voucher but I have no means to cook… so I'm eating things like crisps. I've lost two stone since January." According to Government Housing statistics, Wychavon District Council had 2,992 households on its property waiting list in number has increased by about 140 % since council said the latest figure was 2, to data, Mr Piggott is one of 1,375 people waiting for a one-bedroom said three social housing properties had been offered but in each case, they had been unaffordable considering his lack of income."The system is horrible. How should a 58-year-old have to live like this?" he asked."Recently, with the heat, living in a car has been tough.. I am not intentionally homeless, I do want somewhere to live." Rough sleepers have been supported locally by the Caring for Communities and People (CCP) has been focusing support on helping people apply for social housing, ensuring they are on the correct band and presenting officials with up-to-date personal Green, project manager for homelessness prevention, said there were few one-bedroom properties available."It can be that something has been missed in the housing application or overlooked and that the banding is not correct and also circumstances can change significantly," she explained."One-bed properties are quite few and far between and shared occupation is the way councils prefer single homeless people to go."Wychavon District Council would not comment further on Mr Piggott's case, but stressed it was supporting him to apply for private Taylor, director of communities and housing, said: "Rising rents and the cost of living are driving exceptional demand for housing support, but our new early intervention approach is reducing rough sleeping. There's more to do, and we're committed to helping every customer."After speaking to the BBC, Mr Piggott, who is also a former caretaker with Worcestershire County Council, has also been signposted to a number of homelessness organisations around Evesham for advice and support. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Pershore's former police station may undergo £1m transformation
A former Worcestershire police station could be turned into offices in a refurbishment project costing more than £1m. Wychavon District Council has submitted planning permission to transform the building at Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, which it has estimated will cost £ building was built in 1990 but has been empty for about 10 years and is now managed as a vacant property incurring running costs of about £27,000 per year, the council said in a report. The council also said numerous attempts had been made since its closure to let the building to third parties, but efforts had failed because of the costs of conversion. They also said the current layout, being specifically for a police station and offices, made it redundant to today's business and public service space demands. The council's report states funding will be generated by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (£145,000), the enhanced building capital budget (£160,000) and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£250,000). The council has recommended the approval of the funding gap of £565,000 to be met from reserves. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
