Community organisation needed to manage Homelands Community Centre
Posted on: 13 December 2024
Tewkesbury Borough Council has today, Friday, 13 December, announced it is searching for a new community organisation to manage the long-awaited Homelands Community Centre within Bishop’s Cleeve.
Works for the new community facility off Gotherington Lane, began in August 2022. The site was initially expected to be managed by Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council for the benefit of its communities and the parish council received the supporting community infrastructure levy funding and council tax levy from the development’s homes. The community centre was anticipated to be completed by autumn 2023. After the parish previously requested additional changes to the building’s acoustics, both councils worked with the developers, Vistry Group, to successfully resolve these and the building is now ready for new management.
However, in June the parish council raised concerns about the landscaping maintenance required for the site. Despite discussions between the borough and parish councils to resolve the issue, the parish has withdrawn from managing the centre. Approximately 1,700 square meters surrounding the centre will require the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, hedges and bulbs.
The borough council is now seeking a new partner to take on this fantastic community asset.
Cllr Mary Jordan, Lead Member for Planning and Place Making said: “We are disappointed that we will not be able to hand the community centre over to Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council. We still believe the parish would be well placed to run the building, given the significant sum of over £117,000 of community infrastructure levy and the ongoing annual precept funding it receives from the Homelands housing development.
“This brand new building will make an excellent community asset for a number of clubs and community organisations, and we are now looking to hear from any organisations or community groups who would be interested in running this building for the community to enjoy.”
The planning application decision for the centre required a comprehensive scheme of hard and soft landscaping to be provided for amenity value. This landscaping approach was taken for the whole of the Homelands housing and community site development to ensure a well-designed pleasant environment for nature and the wider community.
Nick Bryant, Associate Director Planning, Tewkesbury Borough Council said: “The borough council’s planning team carefully considered out the landscape conditions as part of the planning permission granted in October 2021 prior to the site becoming shovel-ready.
“Planning officers have since met with the parish council to discuss concerns and offered alternatives. However, these have been declined by the parish council.”
The borough council is looking for an organisation that will organise and manage community activities within the building and make it available for hire to local residents. Tewkesbury Borough Council’s goal is for this long-awaited facility to become the heart of community life with a welcoming environment and landscaping that enhances biodiversity and provides environmental benefits. Further details on how to express interest in managing the centre will follow shortly.
