The trustees’ professional advisers submitted a document and request for pre-application advice from Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) Planning Department just before Christmas. This was registered in early January.  At the time of writing MVDC planners have confirmed that they have not yet started reviewing this and this sadly means a delay to our programme of at least a month so far.

The Development Group and their advisers continue to use the waiting time constructively and have tendered quotations for all reports which might be required to support a planning application when this can be submitted.  And further consideration is also being given to the implementation options for the project when planning consent has been secured.

The trustees will continue to reflect the preferences and feedback from the village consultation held in November last year and advice from MVDC in preparing the planning application. We will then ensure that details of the proposed planning application scheme are shared with neighbours of the two sites and the village is notified via https://www.westcottvillagehall.com/ and other digital communication channels before the planning application is submitted to MVDC. We believe the earliest an application could now be submitted is June 2024. This application will primarily be focused on access, site layout, building scale and massing and materials and will not yet include the developed internal design for the new community building. This will be the subject of further consultation with the village and existing users after planning consent has been secured.

The Village Hall, Fundraising and Community Support

It is a priority for the trustees that we have and maintain funds for the operation and management of the Village Hall to ensure that it remains open for business. In addition, we currently have sufficient funds to meet the cost of submitting the planning application.  However there will be some further technical information that will be needed post planning consent and further funds will be needed to meet these costs.  The trustees are therefore focusing on fundraising initiatives. We are holding a Table Top Sale on 20th April, a Pie and Mash – Quiz Evening on 18th May and a Rock Choir Evening on 7th June 2024. Details of all events are set out in adverts in this edition.  Please get involved in our endeavours, this project is now at the stage where we all need to start to work together to deliver our new village hall.

The trustees have recently been successful in a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) application for a sum of money needed for health and safety work on the existing building and have recently initiated two grant applications to help meet the professional fees post-planning. We expect to make further grant applications as and when they are needed.

Jim Brodrick has recently joined the trustees and we are extremely grateful to have his extra help and support. There is an open meeting on April 24th at 7pm at the Village Hall. Please come along and get involved.

Sally Hewetson Interim Chair