A MAJOR step forward has been taken in a bid to replace a village hall.
Rising repair and operating costs at Oldhamstocks Village Hall led the community to explore the possibility of a new building being put in place.
The existing hall, which dates back to the early 1950s and was previously used as a ward at East Fortune Hospital, has served the community for more than half a century but is now said to be “in a poor state of repair, it requires regular maintenance and the operational costs are also becoming an increasing burden”.
Oldhamstocks Community Association has now applied to East Lothian Council to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a new version which will be “relevant to the next three or four generations” of residents and visitors to the village.
According to a design statement: “The proposal presented is the result of a 10-year briefing and design process which began in earnest in 2013 with the community’s increasing concerns regarding the regular and rising repair and operating costs being experienced for the maintenance of a 70-year-old, timber-framed, former MOD Army Hospital Unit building.”
Drawings included with the application show that the replacement hall would be built on the site of the existing version, with the play area moved alongside the building rather than in front of it.
The building would include a main hall alongside a meeting space and kitchen.
An accessible toilet, in addition to male and female toilets, would also be included in the building, which would feature attic storage.
The design statement reads: “The proposed new village hall is inevitably a larger building than the original one but it is capable of providing so much more, now and into the future, to a community that cares passionately about the spatial and environmental nature of the village and the vibrancy of the community in which they live.
“The proposal will create a focus for the conservation and sustainability of both the sense of place, the sense of community and the diversity of lifestyles that exist in Oldhamstocks through the creation of an enhanced village hall which will be relevant to the next three or four generations of residents and visitors to the village.”
READ MORE: Oldhamstocks: Plans to demolish and replace village hall move forward
Chris Bruce, is both a member of the village’s community association and also chairs East Lammermuir Community Council, which includes the village.
Consideration was previously given to simply demolishing the existing building and instead community events being held in nearby Cockburnspath.
However, it was decided to push ahead with a replacement venue in the village.
Mr Bruce said: “It is where people get together.
“The church is just about to be sold and what would be left? Nothing, just houses.
“The hall is critical.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here