Construction is under way on a long-awaited new community hall in Bishop’s Cleeve

The new facility, which will be used for community activities, such as parties, events and classes, is located on Gotherington Lane.

On Tuesday, August 30, Tewkesbury Borough Council announced that work had gotten underway and is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.

“The community hall was agreed as part of a planning condition on Vistry Group’s housing developments in the Gotherington Lane area of Bishop’s Cleeve," said a council spokesperson.

"Officers from Tewkesbury Borough Council’s property, community, planning and legal teams have worked in partnership with Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council and Vistry Group to ensure the community gets the best building possible, and in addition members of the public were invited to submit their views."

Councillor Clare Softley, lead member for communities, added: “I'm delighted that construction has now begun on the long-awaited community hall in Bishop’s Cleeve.

"This is a major step forward and testament to highly successful collaboration between several groups, all of whom should be thanked for their hard work and commitment.

"This welcome facility is designed to fulfil the needs of the growing local community and I am certain that both individuals and groups will derive great benefit from it.”

Councillor Andrew Reece, ward member for Cleeve St Michael’s, said: "The provision of a community centre on Gotherington will offer the residents of Bishop's Cleeve a marvellous opportunity to take part in various activities or simply to socialise. 

"It's great news that construction has now begun, and I am sure we are all looking forward to seeing the building work progress and to eventually make use of what will undoubtedly be a wonderful community facility."

Bishop's Cleeve Parish Council are equally excited about the development.

Chair of the council, Wendy Hopkins, said: “Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council are delighted that after almost two years of a collaborative working partnership with Tewkesbury Borough Council and the Vistry Group the long-awaited, and very much-needed new community building on the Homelands development has finally commenced construction.

“The Council looks forward to its completion so that the residents of Bishop’s Cleeve can have the use of a facility that they so rightly deserve.”

Supriya Ray, managing director for Vistry Group’s Cotswolds region, added: “The beginning of construction work on the new community building in Bishop’s Cleeve is a welcome milestone to have been reached.

“Vistry Group is well established in Bishop’s Cleeve with both Linden Homes and Bovis Homes branded developments being delivered in the area, and we appreciate how well received the new community building is going to be by both existing and new residents.

“We are now looking forward to progressing the construction work on the new building in line with the timescales provided to complete the work, to enable residents to make full use of this new facility in Bishop’s Cleeve.”