PLANS to replace a derelict community hall in St Columb Minor are taking shape.
Trustees of St Columb Minor Memorial Hall haven been given a grant from the Community Capacity Fund to cover project set up costs, which include architects designs and feasibility study, business plans, survey and analysis.
A design drawn up by architect Pete Caistor Design Services will be used to apply for funds to knock down the building and construct a new “eco-friendly sustainable community hall.”
St Columb Minor Memorial Hall has sat empty for around two years and there is no possibility of the building being renovated as it has fallen into disrepair.
A structural report showed the building is in danger of collapse as the wall ties have rusted.
Trustee Simon Goodman said: “We are very pleased to get the funding.
“Now we have the structural plans we can put in a big grant application for Lottery funding or whatever and the planning application at the same time.
“The building needs to be replaced as its 70-years old and has fallen into disrepair.
“We want to create an eco-friendly sustainable community hall not just for the village but for the surrounding community as well for years to come.
“We want to create a youth club as there is not enough groups for young people in the village. Just as important is there are a lot of vulnerable people in the village.
“St Newlyn East organises a Pasty Pals group and we want to do something like that to get people out and about.”
The architect Pete Caistor said: “The existing building is considered unfit for use or for renovation.
“The floor is not safe to walk on, there are big cracks in the building and there are holes in the roof.
“The structural report came back and the wall ties holding the two skin blocks have rusted and no longer support each other so the building needs to be knocked down and start from scratch.
“Before the trustees can apply for grants, they need to show what the building will look like, so they asked me to design a new community centre.
“The brief was to design a replacement hall, suitable for mixed uses. The scheme is my interpretation of the brief with the use of high-quality external finishes which are sympathetic to the locality and particular attention given to the versatility of the internal arrangements to cater for many potential community uses.
“They want to get the ball rolling to get the community hall back into use.”
Cllr Carol Mould, the portfolio holder for neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “We are delighted to announce that St Columb Minor Memorial Hall has been successful in its application to the Community Capacity Fund for a grant to fund project set up costs which include architects designs and feasibility study, business plans, survey and analysis.
“The aim of their ‘Welcome Home Legacy Project’ is to create an eco-friendly sustainable community hall that will last for many decades for their parish and surrounding community.
“This application is located within the Saints Coast Community Area Partnership.
“We would like to wish all at St Columb Minor Memorial Hall good luck for their future project.”