February 2022

Dear Hardwick Resident, below is our latest plan of the area in and around the proposed Community Centre. The shape and internal layout of the building had been completed towards the end of 2021 and plans of this layout are available on the Village web site, and have been published in previous copies of the Hardwick Happenings and emailed to those who requested regular updates. This plan shows the whole site and the extensive landscaping that will be added to enhance the visual aspects of the site, screen the building and take all relevant ecological considerations into account whilst providing some acoustic screening.

Planning reference 22015012FUL

The site also shows the outline of the present Sports and Social Club and the area between the two buildings. This area is to be block paved and have bollards restricting it to vehicles parking, except for occasional delivery access. The area in front of the Centre is for outside cafe seating and will be enclosed with hedges and other aesthetic planting. Further, informal picnic seating, will also be provided on the grass area between the new building and the play area. The main entrance, marked area 1, is accessible by two paths from the present parking area and the play area, marked 11 on the plan.

Parking

We have had a professional parking survey undertaken and it found the 35 spaces already available along the hedge line to the Sports and Social club and along the edge of the field are sufficient for the proposed plan. We are very aware, however, that parking is already an issue along Egremont Road at times and we are seeking permission from the school to use the community parking there, when large events are held in the Community Centre. It was considered that the parking is sufficient for a building that is essentially for the use of village residents, the majority of whom will not need cars to use the building.

What next?

The overall plan has now reached its final phase of preparation for application for full planning approval. There are still areas that can be changed and amended before this and even after approval but to all intents and purposes the preparation is now complete. All residents will still be able to comment on the plans once submitted and we will advise all residents on how they can have an input, and hopefully add their support for the project, directly to the planning department. We will provide this link once we have it. Once planning permission is granted we then need, in collaboration with the Parish Council, to put the project out to tender to building contractors. Once a contractor has been appointed the project will be set to be built towards the end of 2022. The work of the present committee will then be oversight of the project and helping the Parish Council with finding the best way of managing the new facility in the interests of all residents, once it has been completed. Thank you all for your input so far at our open meetings and through emails and letters about the project over the last four years. We truly believe this will be an excellent local facility which will provide multiple opportunities for local residents well into the foreseeable future. We have been very grateful for the considered and thoughtful contributions we have received and to which, we hope, we have responded positively.