Plans progressing for community hub (From Cotswold Journal)

Plans progressing for community hub

12:00pm Sunday 17th February 2013 in News

VILLAGERS in Bourton-on-the-Water will soon be able to access several local facilities under one roof as plans for a community hub get off the ground.

Following a meeting last month between Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), Bourton Parish Council and NHS Gloucestershire, plans are progressing to create a community centre in the redundant Moore Cottage Hospital site.

The iconic listed building will be converted into accommodation for the parish council office, a library, police hub, a community café and activity area.

The project has been well supported in the village with 97 out of 100 people who turned out to the public meeting last December voting in favour of the plans.

The parish council will take over the listed part of the building and make rooms available for hire to village interest groups and health and welfare services and it is also hoped the building will attract an NHS dentist.

Councillor Bryan Sumner, parish council chairman, said the purchase of the site should be completed by the end of March.

“The parish council remains very optimistic that the project will complete in 2013,” he said.

“We appreciate GCC for taking steps to secure the project through their initial purchase of the hospital, and for their ongoing commitment and enthusiasm to see the project through to a successful conclusion.

“It will be ready for occupation on a phased basis. I think the library will be one of the first things to be moved in there.”

The modern part of the hospital building, and adjacent land at Salmonsbury House, will be sold for other development.

Councillor David Thorpe, Bourton ward member at GCC, said: “The hospital given to the community by George Moore has a special place in the hearts of the people of Bourton, so returning it to the community as part of this project is the icing on the cake.”