The critical work leading to the submission of the planning application is well underway. The basic design is still as presented at the November 2021 information event but there have been a number of improvements including increasing the size of the kitchen, provision of an AV gallery and the changes necessary to achieve the BREEAM¹Excellent building standard. 

A project manager has also been appointed by Wealden District Council (WDC) to provide detailed programme management, plus a schedule of work is being developed. 

In parallel with the preparation of the planning application document, the detail of the building design is being developed further to include numerous items such as access, information, PA and blind control systems and refinement of the heating and ventilation requirements. 

As the building design is honed, the appointed quantity surveyor will be able to fine tune the costs. Along with this, and with regard to the Parish Council as landlord granting WDC a tenancy for the health centre, the legal ‘Heads of Terms’ documentation leading to the formal Agreement to ‘Lease and the Head Lease’, are being advanced. 

The creation of the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is also in progress.  The CIO, as well as raising funds for grants to pay for items which are outside the building contract, will ultimately be responsible for managing the new community centre. Once established, the CIO will be putting in the processes and procedures for making the day-to-day running of the new centre as efficient, cost effective and technologically up-to-date as possible.

The project is an exciting one, and whilst it is being promoted and managed by the Parish Council, it could benefit from additional support particularly in the areas of:

• Professional building expertise
• Fund raising
• Community centre management

We are grateful to those who have already stepped forward to offer help and will be in touch. However, if you are potentially interested in becoming involved, please contact the Parish Council Clerk (Janna Todd) via email at clerk@mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk) or telephone 01435 873784 for more information.

For further information on the project, including the latest design, please visit the village website  at www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk. Updates are also posted on the village Facebook site.

1. BREEAM is the UK certification standard for achieving maximum sustainability in building design and construction. BREEAM stands for the UK’s Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method.