Progress Update – October 2011
This page summarises the story so far (updated October 2011).
The latest updates will be posted from time to time and linked to this page.
Our old village hall was closed at the end of 2006. The parish council appointed a sub-committee to handle the sale of the old hall and the development of a new one. This later achieved charitable status as an organisation in its own right. The hall was sold to the Diocese and demolished over the summer of 2011 (see pictures here).
We carried out market research in 2007-8 and again in 2011 to determine what people needed from a village hall and to determine what uses to include in a specification for an architect. The response to the questionnaire was excellent. As a result of the brief, we have plans and an architect’s impression of the new building, which were first consulted on in November 2008. The land for the new hall is associated with the housing development at Hubbards Loke, more or less opposite the Bakery.
We held a Consultation event on 21st & 22nd September 2011 at the Bridge Inn. This showed the latest versions of the hall, housing and grounds proposals, and a good many of you turned out to view them and ask questions.
We need to continue to consult with you because (a) we need to ensure that the final design meets our needs and (b) to continue to get evidence for our funding applications that the facility is required by the community – this may be discounted if the evidence is over 18 months old!
We aim to submit planning applications in conjunction with a housing provider (who will control the new housing to be built) within the the next two months. If successful we could have our new hall as early as next September.
BUT
This means fundraising has to enter a new level of intensity. We started with the first village fete in 25 years (according to people that know these things) which took place in August 2009 but didnt find enough people who could commit to organising it to hold one in 2011.
Mugs are available at a very reasonable price – they have our logo and this website address on them.
The main fund-raising will be through applications for grants which are being made from a variety of Trusts and grant funders, although to our dismay we find we are not eligible for Big Lottery funding by the width of a hedge.
We are also designing a scheme to raise money through donations and sponsorship which will be launched shortly.
The summaries of the Trustees’ regular meetings will keep you up to date with the detailed progress.
kristian
are we getting a skate park i think we should
admin
It’s on our list of possibles Kristian. Still trying to fit everything in!
Confidential
Im rather concerned being a resident as to what noise is going to be encountered, i havent been consulted and am situtated rather close!!
admin
We are sorry to hear that you did not get any information about the consultation. As you say you live close we can assume you live in Hubbards Loke, Hall Walk, Heath Road or on the Fakenham Road. All the houses in these streets (along with the rest of the parish) were visited by a member of the committee in January 2011 and again in Feb/Mar 2011 and attempts were made to speak to you in person. A letter was left on both occasions if no response was achieved. This exercise was repeated in August, which highlighted the public consultation event which took place on 20/21 September at Bridge Inn. Posters for this event were on the front of the old post office, in the window of Lenwade News, on both the Parish notice boards in the village and on boards at each end of the village. It was also advertised in the Wensum Diary in September, with a follow-up in October as the consultation period was open for a month.
So it is a great shame that you did not find out about it in time to make your own feelings known. However a number of your neighbours did express their concerns about the hall and its location, access, sound issues and so on, and these have been taken into account. You may find the letter of response to the consultees of interest and we hope it addresses most of your concerns. A copy of the letter is on this website.
The next stage will be the planning application whereyou will have further opportunities to make your views heard if you wish to do so.
Confidential
Firstly yes i do live rather close and further more i have lived here most of my life so am well aware of everything that goes on! I havent been visited by no-one and consequently have had nothing put through my door advising of any meetings or plans that were going to take place. I was unavailable to attend the meeting at the pub in september as i was on holiday at the time. I still feel however that its not always up to the residents to find out what is going to take place and maybe the council should take more effort to inform the residents as most are elderly. I still can not see any positive answers about the noise situation that is going to be generated and how this problem is going to be solved. I am not opposed to the hall being built but obviously i do want to be able to sleep at night as i work all day.
bob west
What on earth do we want a village hall for? Please do waste your time and money on it Parish council. I have lived in the village 9 years with my family, there is no sense of community at all here, nothing is organised for the queens jubilee, you only need to look at the local crime data to see the large number of anti social incidents. My 3 school aged children are all going to other villages for the Jubilee celebrations. incidently I only came across this web site when my wife was so dismayed about lack of Jubilee celebrations in the area, we don’t know anyone in the village, neibours on either side refused to speak to us ever since we moved as they think we speak too common,
Bob
admin
Hi Bob. Sorry to hear you aren’t making friends here, but yes, that’s what we are trying to change. More news soon.
Tania Spelacy
Local residents who would like some Jubilee Celebrations could always get together to organise a bash. You don’t have to wait for someone else to do it. Why not put something in the Wensum Diary calling for those who would like to help and organise a Jubilee committee. It may help you get to know other like-minded villagers.
sarah
I’m not happy with a village hall there either.
My elderly parents live very close and I’m concerned about the noise and also the traffic which will be passing through at all hours.
How will you be able to keep LOUD music quiet? so the residents around that area are not disturbed.
admin
Hi
We think it’s clear that the planning of the hall will have to take into account the issues of noise and traffic. Of course the hall
(a) will not be open 24/7 but will have to operate within the usual restrictions regarding the hours during which events including music can be held &
(b) any traffic issues will be considered during the planning application process when all interested parties will have the opportunity to comment upon the plans & the application.
Tania Spelacy
I’ve lived in Lenwade a little over 11 years and have always found villagers friendly, to the point when a visit to the local shops often takes much longer than anticipated as there is always someone to chat with. Unfortunately, the lack of a centre where people of all ages can gather to enjoy activities and pastimes as well as meet and get to know each other, is lacking. The time consuming and hard work being undertaken by the Village Hall committee should be celebrated, their positive long term committment to creating a socially inclusive resource for residents of Lenwade to enjoy and use for many years to come, should be supported. It will be a real bonus to all who live here, whether you actually use the hall or not, as I believe it will help create the sense of community spirit some residents feel is lacking. So let’s not just find faults and criticise, but help find solutions together to avoid anyone feeling excluded. My experience of talking to the committe members is that they are always willing to discuss and take on board genuine concerns and ideas that will help this project work for local people.
liz
I have lost count of the amount of walking the streets of Lenwade that the commitee members have carried out in order to post leaflets regarding the Village Hall project. If you have not had anything – lets have your address and I will be very happy to bring along some information. The New Village Hall – as quite rightly pointed out by a huge amount of people, will add lots of benefits to the community. From adults, children and children yet to be born. Not forgetting the school who will also benefit from new pupils and parents a plenty – when the new houses are built. The commitee are going to continue to press on with this project. If you can’t or don’t want to help this is ok but try to see it from all sides. Where’s the spirit of “help thy neighbour!” There will of course be issues regarding this build, I myself have some doubts. I hear you say we are all entitled to our opinion, point taken. Lots of us are kean to have a Village Hall to attend for a little bit of cheer, maybe a knees up or just a chat with friends plus somewhere for the children to let off steam and have happy memories. Sometimes we can’t see the wood for the tree’s but in my humble opinion there is always room for compromise and a way forward for us all. Our Village Hall can only be viewed as a welcome project, or where does that leave Lenwade? a village to hurry through. Yes we can do this if we get together, all of us, common or otherwise for a worth while project and putting us on the map as having one of the best Village Halls. Let’s iron out the glitches and be positive. From one commoner to another….. liz.
Mr Holister
I have just looked at the plans for the new village hall. As nice as it is does it really have to be so big.
I counted 3 meeting rooms plus the hall i just dont understand why you feel it has to be like this.
I recently visited Westons Hall and it is lovely and a perfect size.
Why couldnt you be happy with something like that instead of wanting to spend so much money on this huge hall.