Further to last month’s update, the architects have now completed the revisions to the community hall floor plans, which include enlarged meeting rooms and kitchen spaces, plus three sets of external double doors. We are therefore pleased to announce that a Mayfield Community and Health Centre Information Event will be held on Sunday 7^th July between 10am and 3pm in the Mayfield Scout and Guide hall, when these revised floor plans, together with the site plan and external elevations, will be shared with the community. Comments and suggestions for improvements that will not increase costs will be welcomed and there will be a ballot box for responses.

Following this event the design will be displayed for the month of July in the window of Hayley Cooper Aesthetics in the High Street. A formal public consultation will be run by Baxall Construction in August.

The architects have developed a design based on the key elements of the original design brief, which can be constructed within budget. We can also confirm that the external elevations remain close to the original ‘Plan A’ which proved popular at the previous information event in November 2021 but which had to be aborted due to the higher cost of construction. 

Members of the project team had a positive pre-application meeting with Wealden District Council’s (WDC) planning department with no major issues reported on the project or design.  Following the Information Event and the public consultation, a planning application will be submitted in August with a decision anticipated in November 2024. If successful, we hope that site work will still commence in January 2025 with completion by end of December 2025.

We can also confirm that the design for the new Community and Health Centre has excellent eco credentials including high levels of insulation meeting the latest Building Regulation requirements, renewable electricity sources, solar pv panels and  rainwater harvesting to name but a few, full details of which can be found on the Parish website.  The hall also remains the same size as the old Memorial Hall, has a Mayfacs office, two versatile meeting rooms and an ample kitchen. In addition, the hall can be split into three parts by means of full height dividing doors, and is designed to be suitable for activities like performing arts, film, badminton, table tennis and art clubs, dance, yoga and Pilates, plus it has a community hub for anyone to enjoy.

The site plans have also been re-configured to allow for up to 80 car parking spaces, some of which will have EV charging points.

Monthly Project Board meetings with WDC, are held to review progress and address any issues. Baxall Construction, having signed a Pre-construction Services Agreement (PCSA) with Wealden District Council (WDC) in March, has now appointed all its sub-contractors. Working relationships with Baxalls and these sub-contractors have been formalised with monthly Client Engagement meetings and two weekly Design Team meetings, both attended by representatives of the  Parish Council.

Funding and grant opportunities continue to be actively pursued by the MCC committee and MCC Fundraising Group.

Further information can be found on the village Facebook site and the Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council website www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk, as it becomes available.

18 June 2024