Proposals for new Bilsthorpe village hall on display at community drop-in events
Plans for a new village hall and community centre in Bilsthorpe have been unveiled.
Two community drop-in events are scheduled for January 15 and 16 at Bilsthorpe Miners Welfare, running from 3-8pm each day.
The new building will replace the old Village Hall on Cross Street, which closed four years ago due to safety concerns.
These proposals have been developed following a comprehensive study conducted in 2023 to assess facilities for Bilsthorpe residents.
The modern, multi-use community hub is being proposed for a site on the Crompton Road Park and could include:
- Large multi-use space
- Second smaller room
- Office and storage space
- Improved footpaths and gates
- Space for Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum
- Additional facilities to be developed to make maximum use of the proposals
Residents can review plans and architectural visuals for proposed buildings, with an opportunity to ask questions before a planning application is submitted in Spring 2025.
Councillor Rhona Holloway, of Newark and Sherwood Council, has been a leading advocate for these plans.
She said: “Having a place for people of all ages to come together is crucial to social integration and good health and wellbeing, and people in Bilsthorpe have gone for too long without access to the community facilities we know they need.
“We are pleased to be able to share our proposed plans and architect’s visualisations for this brand-new, state-of-the-art community hub building, that we know would become the beating heart of our village.”
Councillor Claire Penny, portfolio holder for economic growth at Newark and Sherwood Council, added: “I’m delighted that we have been able to grant £55,000 to Bilsthorpe Parish Council under the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to assess the feasibility of this project and allow the plans to be drawn up and shown to residents in January.
“It’s incredibly important that we look at all our communities and ensure they have access to the right services and facilities and this project in Bilsthorpe will do just that.
“While funding for this project still needs applying for following planning permission, this is the first step in taking this project forward.
“I look forward to hearing residents’ plans for this proposed facility.”
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has provided financial support for the development of initial proposals.
Bilsthorpe Council intends to apply for funding to cover construction costs, pending the approval of planning permission.