See the gallery for plans and artist impression of the new village hall.
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Submitted by: Richard Price, 11th Nov 2009
NEW VILLAGE HALL REPORT
Villagers will be interested to know of recent attempts to obtain completion of the new hall, which has stood empty on the Acre Mill site for over a year.
At the end of August a proposal was made by the developer, Skipton Properties to hand over to the village the empty shell of the building asking in exchange, as incentive for doing this, a large sum of money. We had hinted at this outcome in the August Village Newsletter. (The hall is currently without floors or ceilings, some internal walls, second-fix plumbing, heating, wiring and countless other finish details).
The Management Committee realised they could make no sensible response without knowing the cost for the village of all this internal work. They asked for access to the building to make this assessment and this was eventually granted in mid-October.
We are grateful to our Architect-adviser, Mick Widdup, who then went round the building with his Quantity Surveyor performing a detailed professional survey for costing purposes. The figure we later received was well beyond our expectations. After careful deliberation the Committee felt the financial gap was too wide to pursue the negotiations with Skipton Properties. It was therefore agreed to approach the Parish Council, suggesting a joint referral of the whole problem to Craven District. The Parish Council agreed to this at their November meeting and we now await the outcome.
But don’t hold your breath! Craven District have indicated that Skipton Properties will be granted a three-month period in which to make an appeal before any enforcement procedure might be in place. Once we have a response and know precisely what will be expected of the village we hope to hold an open meeting for all interested parishioners. Detailed plans will be on display and the cost to us should by then be clear.
Richard Price
Submitted by: Richard Price, 28th Oct 2009
When will it be ready? Most villagers are fed up with waiting for the new village hall.
However two recent events indicate the way things are moving.
1. In August I wrote of the agonising choice likely to face the village – a long wait or a hefty payment. The ‘long wait’ option has gone. Both the District Council and the Developer realise it is time for a swift decision.
2. But the ‘hefty payment’ option has not gone. A recent costing of the remaining work to the inside of the building produced a figure far in excess of what we had expected. Direct negotiation with the developer will not bridge the gulf. All depends on negotiations between the District Council and the Developer. In other words, the outcome is out of our hands.
A recent meeting of the Management Committee invited the Parish Council to join with us in appealing to Craven District. Their decision will reveal how much money the village has to find.
In the meantime the Committee want to encourage villagers to keep using the old hall through the winter. Private Parties with a bar have recently been held there very successfully. We also want to encourage other regular activities. Anyone interested in carpet bowls, table tennis, etc.etc.?
Just contact our caretaker and bookings clerk, Kevin, on 633162.
Did anyone read the recent article in the Yorkshire Post reporting an interview with Linda Lloyd, chairwoman of Rural Action Yorkshire:-. The village hall plays such a leading part in most communities. When you have got one you never want to lose it?
