Community centre plan for Barnham finally up for approval

The proposals for the 1.5m building were being recommended for approval by councillors.

It has taken campaigners well over a decade to reach the stage of having a viable project which could soon answer many villagers' calls for better facilities.

But the proposed building on Murrells Field in Church Lane also has some critics.

The 49 letters of support for the planning application for the centre, as well as ten from organisations, have been countered by 22 letters of objection.

It will be up to Arun District Council's development control committee to decide whether to ignore the opposition and agree with the recommendation of their planning officers to approve the building.

A report to the committee by planning officer Susan Leeson said: "It is considered that the new community hall will provide an essential social need that is unable to be provided elsewhere in the locality, despite the area of open space being reduced.

"It is, therefore, considered that the enhanced community facilities outweigh the countryside policies prohibiting new development."

It was in 1993 villagers formed the Barnham Leisure and Amenity Development Enterprise group to pursue the dream of replacing the current village hall dating from the 1920s.

Members held fundraising events and put together initial plans for a new building which Arun backed in 1999.

But fundraising events were unable to provide enough money to meet the project's seven-figure cost.

Barnham Parish Council became actively involved and joined with BLADE to produce the current plans. They received approval in principle from the district council two years ago.

They envisage the centre having a main hall slightly bigger than a badminton court, a community hall able to be divided in two and a parish room. There will also be space for a police room and a

doctor's surgery. A children's playground, trim trail and picnic area will enhance the grounds. Parish councillors hope to start work within three years.

Various grants have been sought to meet the cost of the centre.

The parish council also wants permission for eight two and three-bedroom houses, in two equal terraces, to be built on the site of the current hall to raise funds.

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