South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet has allocated almost £5.5million to develop a new community centre, which will benefit residents of the new homes being built in the Fishpool Hill and nearby Haw Wood and Triangle developments, south and west of the former Filton airfield site.
The funding, which will come from developer contributions arising from the housebuilding across the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood, will allow for plans to be developed through local engagement, with the new facilities expected to be open for use in 2029.
Cabinet agreed to progress with proposals to deliver a 750m2 centre, which will include space for community events and groups to meet, and provision for young people’s activities.
It will be the second of three community facilities planned to support the development known collectively as the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood, which covers the former airfield site and surrounding land. The plans agreed by Cabinet is for a larger venue than initially considered, as stakeholder and community feedback showed a need for a bigger, more flexible facility.
The first community centre, the Spitfire Hanger, has already been delivered by YTL as part of the Brabazon element of the new neighbourhood. Further plans will be explored as more of the new homes are constructed, in line with the infrastructure delivery plan for the whole area.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, councillor Adam Monk, said: “These facilities will help families moving into homes at Fishpool Hill and the surrounding area, make their new community a thriving and sustainable place.
“A house truly becomes a home when it is in a community, and we want to ensure that modern, fit-for-purpose community facilities are delivered alongside new places to live.
“We have engaged with local communities, operators and the voluntary and community sector to better understand their needs, so that what we build work for local people.
“As plans are developed, we will share them and want to hear from local people again, about how they will want to use a flexible space to meet their needs including social and cultural events, support for young people and the community’s health and wellbeing.”
Details of the proposal agreed by Cabinet at their meeting on Monday 5 October can be found on the council website: https://council.southglos.gov.uk/documents/s170141/CPNN%20Community%20Centre%20Review.pdf
