Latest news with #communityuse
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Downderry villagers lose battle to buy former chapel
Villagers in Downderry in Cornwall have had a bid to buy a chapel for community use rejected and face having to vacate the building has not been used for worship for more than a decade and locals had transformed it into a hub, The Zone, with 16 groups offering a variety of community raised £200,000 to buy it but its owners said they wanted to sell it on the open market for the highest Methodist Circuit said: "The local trustees are charity trustees and are under a legal obligation to act in accordance with charity law and the constitution of the Methodist Church... this means obtaining the best terms and best price when disposing of charity property." Adrian Kemp, chairman of the Zone Steering Group, said meetings with the Methodist circuit and community members were "very congenial" for two years until "something changed" in April, which "came as quite a surprise". He said: "However, we believe somebody is advising them it is worth a lot more potentially for a building site rather than community use, which is what the planning permission is for at the moment." The Methodist Circuit served notices to quit by 12 August. Some groups had been offered space at St Nicolas Church, others the village hall; but time slots were difficult and some groups had wound up, community leaders said. "It's devastating," said Michelle Davies, who is also on the committee."It's such a vital part of our village for all ages, from birth all the way up through; so not having that place to come and meet people and be sociable it will make the village very lonely." Sue Dobinson was a member of many groups at the Zone, including pilates, yoga and the Women's said: "Hundreds of people use this building. If it goes on the open market to the highest bidder, maybe one family will be able to use it. "It doesn't make sense. It's so sad." Barrister Hugo deRijke said Zone supporters were hoping to meet chapel trustees said the trustees "were singing the praises of The Zone not so long ago" before the "very odd" U-turn. He said: "They have not explained their sudden change of heart and mind about this. "I've been looking into the due process and whether the Methodist Church has acted in good faith, which is one of its policies.". The Reverend Jonathan Budd, superintendent of South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit said the decision to sell was "a difficult one and is only made by the local trustees as a last resort when there is no continuing Methodist purpose continuing at the premises"."Whilst we understand the local frustrations, as charity trustees, the local trustees are acting within the law and in accordance with legal obligations placed upon them," he said.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for hundreds of new homes in pretty West Midlands village
Plans have been unveiled for hundreds of new homes in a Solihull village. It is the latest application for Tidbury Green which is set to see a massive increase from its current population of around 1,000 if all the plans come to fruition. Applicant Bloor Homes wants to build up to 200 new homes on land off Dickens Heath Road in the village. READ MORE: Birmingham Airport night flights under scrutiny after increase We are now on WhatsApp. Join our dedicated community here The plans also feature land for community use and for a public open space. A document submitted to Solihull Council from planning agents Savills on behalf of the applicant says: 'Proposals will be submitted in the form of an outline planning application, with all matters reserved except for access. 'The site, which is circa 14.80 hectares in size, is currently in use as pasture land and vehicular access via Tilehouse Lane close to Yew Tree Farm. 'The site is located between Tidbury Green and Dickens Heath. The site is surrounded by residential properties, fields or woodland areas. 'The following elements are proposed as part of the scheme: Up to 200 residential dwellings including up to 50 per cent affordable housing Provision of formal and informal public open space and green infrastructure, including sustainable drainage systems Potential school/community use Pedestrian/cycle connections Biodiversity enhancements Vehicular access from Tilehouse Lane and off site highways and public transport improvements 'The layout has been designed around landscaping, green spaces, linkages and a landscape corridor between the proposed development and Birchy Leasowes Lane running along the northern boundary.' In July the company submitted an application to the authority's planners for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion – a procedure which will determine whether the proposed development will have a significant impact on the environment. However in a notice issued on August 1 officer Lawrence Osborne, the council's team leader of major projects delivery, said the EIA was not needed. He wrote: 'The development is unlikely to have significant environmental impacts. 'It is therefore not EIA development and an Environmental Impact Assessment would therefore not be required.' An outline planning application is yet to be submitted to Solihull Council planners. As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported developers Summix FHS Development LLP wants to build 850 homes on land south of Norton Lane, also in Tidbury Green. To view Bloor Homes' plans search for application PL/2025/01458/EIASCR at
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lincoln's 'Ryvita building': Offer made on former police station
A potential buyer has been found for a former Lincoln police station dubbed the "Ryvita building".The building, which was built in 1973 to a design resembling the well-known cracker, closed in 2019 when Lincolnshire Police moved to a new centre in the several false starts, including a sale that fell through last year, the building is now "under offer", the website of commercial estate agent Lambert Smith Hampton asking price has not been made public. Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones previously said he was keen to find a community use for the building, such as key worker said any funds from the sale would be reinvested in landmark structure stands on a 1.13 acre (0.46 ha) site on the corner of West Parade and Beaumont Fee and includes a car to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the online listing said the building "would suit a variety of alternative uses" including leisure, retail, housing and office space. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New country park in Royal Wootton Bassett to open the public
A country park spanning 48 acres (0.19 sq km) will officially open to the public land on Brynards Hill, in Royal Wootton Bassett, was handed over to the town council from developers Wain Homes on 8 January after more than two years of transfer excludes two nearby play parks but secures the majority of the area as a country park for community use. Mark Hopkins, chief officer at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, played a key role in securing the transfer and described the park's opening as "a proud moment for the town". The town council hopes to protect and develop the land as a shared green space for recreation, wildlife, and wellbeing. Speaking in January, Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor, councillor Pat Farrow, said: "I am so proud and delighted that the final legal process has been completed. "I want to thank everyone who have worked to make this vision a reality."At the time, Wain Homes donated nearly 30 trees, planted to replace specimens that have failed to grow or have been damaged, to enhance the park's natural environment. Technical director at Wain Homes, Jeremy Johnson, said the firm is "delighted" to transfer the park to the town."The country park presents a valuable asset for all to enjoy with breathtaking views and an abundance of open space."
