Residents are invited to see the architect’s drawings and give their views on the proposals to rebuild Herston Village Hall in Jubilee Road in Swanage.
A public exhibition of the plans is being held on Saturday 11th September 2021 from 11 am to 3 pm at the hall. Refreshments and a children’s play area will be available.
Over the years, the 1940s community hall has fallen into disrepair and although it’s recently been given a new lease of life by the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust who took it over in 2018, the team is now looking at a more permanent long term solution.
Before – the current Herston Village Hall
And after – the new plans for Herston Village Hall have been designed to fit in with the houses on Jubilee Road
A welcoming space in West Swanage
In order to provide a welcoming space in West Swanage for community groups, plans include a larger hall with better lighting and insulation, a meeting room, a new good-sized kitchen and an accessible toilet and entrance.
The aim is to make the new building fit into its surroundings and even possibly include a rented affordable housing flat.
Feedback will be invited at the exhibition from the local community on how the plans fit with the way residents would like to use the hall in the future.
The trust says that the current hall has reached the end of its useful life
“Redevelop it to modern, eco-friendly standards”
Chair of the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust Bob Foster said:
“This building has been proudly used as a community resource since 1946, when it was first built. For many years, it formed an important part of local community life. It then fell into disrepair and became under-used.
“Our intention is to redevelop it to modern, eco-friendly standards, so that it can regain its place at the heart of the community. By improving the efficiency of the building and its services, we will be able to continue offering low cost, not for profit, facilities for a wide range of community uses. It will be there for the long term to serve and support local people.
“We do hope that as many people, as possible, will attend the exhibition and have their say about the future of their village hall.”
Following the exhibition, the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust says comments will be collated and the plans amended as necessary, before applying for planning permission. It’s also getting costs for the work and applying for grant funding.
The hall is opposite the old site of Herston’s first school
Opposite the site of the old Herston C of E First School
Herston Village Hall is located opposite the site of the old Herston C of E First School, which has now been redeveloped for housing.
Behind the hall is the old school’s sports court and playing field. The ownership of this land has recently been transferred from Dorset Council to Swanage Town Council.
While the council looks at ways to use that land in the future, the new youth club, that’s just been set up at the hall has permission to use the sports court for supervised activities including table tennis on an outdoor table donated by the National Trust.
The old school playing field…
…and the old school sports court are now owned by Swanage Town Council
Further information
More about Herston Village Hall is on the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust website
