THE team at All Saints’ Church have provided an update to their plans to refurbish the Westbury Parish Hall following the submission of their plans to Wiltshire Council.
The hall supports a play school for five afternoons and two mornings a week and hosts organisations, including the Brownies and Guides for four nights a week, making the hall an important asset for the town of Westbury.
The team at All Saints have been working on the plans for the past two years and some of the ideas include adding a first floor to increase the amount of space available and creating a community space fit for the 21st Century and to serve the people of Westbury for the next 150 years. These ambitious proposals are likely to cost around £700,000.
The team say, “In June, we held a period of consultation with neighbours and residents of Westbury and have also been in discussions with a number of organisations including 4Youth, Crosspoint, Westbury Area Network, Leigh Park Community Centre, Westbury Town Council and Wiltshire Council to see how a modernised community space could best serve the people of Westbury.
“An application for full planning permission was lodged in August and there is a short period of consultation before Wiltshire Council determine whether they will give permission or not. The consultation period ends on Friday 14th October.
“However, no funding has as yet been secured, so we are now focusing on raising the £700,000 that we estimate the works will cost. We will be seeking funds from grants and foundations, donations and by raising funds from community events and fundraising activity. The working group will be launching our appeal in 2023, which is the 150th anniversary of the hall being opened. We hope that the community of Westbury will show their support.”
Full details of the application and an opportunity to leave your comments on the proposals can be found on the Wiltshire Council Planning Portal by searching for the application number: PL/2022/06214.
The committee are keen to recruit new members who can help to make this vision for a lively, modern and welcoming community hub for all a reality. If you want to know more, please contact Beth Thomas, chair of the working group wcw@whtministry. org.uk.
Pictured: All Saints’ Parish Hall found on Church Lane in the town centre.
