New Pastoral Centre for Hampshire Downs Parish on St Peter's site (Update - February 2010)
Since 2007, Canon Paul has asked a number of parishioners to work up proposals for a new pastoral centre to replace the aging parish centre.
The project started with a consultation exercise with parish centre users and the Parish Finance and Property Committee. (Read the 2007 report.)
The proposal to investigate building a new pastoral centre was approved by both the F&P Committee and the Parish Pastoral Council. Both these groups receive regular updates on the project as well as the fundraising campaign 'Living Our Faith'.
Priority of Needs
Following discussion with users of the parish centre and visits to other similar Projects, a priority of needs for the project has been developed:
- Level access to and installation of lift to meet the needs of increasing number of parishioners with mobility issues
- more privacy for the clergy in Peterhouse and for confidential visits
- modern facilities (kitchen and larger hall) to provide more welcoming and community activities including the provision of luncheon clubs for older people
- more rooms for parish ministry groups to meet simultaneously
- an informal gathering space before and after Mass
- offices for all parish staff
- larger meeting rooms to accommodate the increasing size of our ministry groups (including children’s liturgy, youth group) and our other activities
- a Disability Discrimination Act compliant facility which could host larger events and become a rental income source
An architect, Sue Masser, was instructed to prepare drawings for exhibition to the parish, and a project group is overseeing the consultation, costings, permissions and build programme (using Diocesan major project guidelines).
As a result of the first parish-wide consultation on the Option 10 drawings, held in July 2009, significant changes were introduced, particularly to the ‘cloisters’ element. Option 11 was produced and exhibited at all Masses in December 2009. Option 11 is the one that has been chosen to go forward for Diocesan, Historic Churches Commission and Planning Authority approvals.
Timescales for the project are dependant on getting all the approvals. In January 2010 the Diocesan Finance and Property Committee and the Diocesan Trustees approved the project. We will apply for HCC approval and planning permission in March 2010 and, if successful, tenders for the build in early summer 2010, demolition during the summer and completion a year later in autumn 2011.
An earlier option has been costed at £1.3m. We now have a fixed cost but this is confidential due to competitive tendering processes. The cost reflects the size of the building, installation of a lift for disabled access, and the complex connection required to the south side of the church.
The protected trees on the site are a major constraint, as are the listed buildings and walls and level access. Consultants' reports on those aspects, a whole site review for sustainable energy options, an archaeological review and bore holes for ground investigation have been commissioned.
Users Consultation
Users of the parish centre will be involved in two separate consultation exercises over the next year. The first will start very soon and will look at the alternative venues required by the various parish and regular outside hirers during the year or so that the parish centre will be out of action. Brian Roberts, parish administrator, will be leading this one. Late in 2010, another set of meetings with users will be held to determine the detail of the fitting out of the new building, and the various changes to how we use the building. Sue Broadbent will be leading on this one.
February 2010