This is the new community centre which could be built in Westbridgend thanks to a group of residents who have been tirelessly working to turn a dream into reality.
Plans have now been officially lodged by West Dunbartonshire Council for the single-storey hall in Bowie Street – which comes over three years since the former centre was demolished.
Westbridgend Community Hall Development Association are behind the plans after taking on a £650,000 grant from the council in exchange for a business plan on maintaining it.
Their bid was approved in 2019 and the residents have been working with council planners and architects since to develop plans for the centre.
They plan to run it as a community hub, which will include a café, after school and evening clubs, and activities for all ages.
Their outline proposal also detailed lunch clubs, arts and fitness classes and activities for people with disabilities.
Speaking to the Lennox Herald, chair Elaine Neeson said the group were delighted to reach the planning application stage after a long three years.
She said: “It’s been a long haul to get to where we are today and now it is with the planning department.
“It has been challenging navigating all the legislation and then the pandemic but hopefully it will all be worth it. Everyone has worked really hard to get to this stage.
“So much time has passed, I think many have thought it wouldn’t be happening but a lot of work has been taking place in the
background.
“We worked with the architects on the design and we wanted to make sure it is going to be accessible for all and that everyone goes in the same entrance.
“It will be great when it is finally built and we can open the door for the first time.”
The original hall was demolished by the local authority in October 2017 after the building was deemed unsafe for use.
A view was then put forward that a community asset transfer application with a detailed business plan would be submitted.
The committee of local people formed and secured support from the council, the West Dunbartonshire Community and Volunteering Service and the Corra Foundation to work on making the new hall plans a reality.
