PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, LEIGH-ON-SEA, ESSEX
In my last report I advised you that Southend Borough Council had given planning permission for the new Parish Centre and the plans have since been on display in the Church entrance.
The Quantity Surveyors have now prepared figures of the likely development costs. As anticipated the building costs are estimated in the region of £1m plus fees and fitting out costs. You will recall that it is a Diocesan requirement that at least 50% of the cost is available before work can commence and they need assurance that the balance can be dealt with over a reasonable period. The Finance Committee has been considering a number of funding proposals and an initial proposal has been put to the Diocese and a meeting with the Director of Finance has taken place. The proposal was submitted to the Finance Board at their May meeting. The Board has indicated that, in principle, they are prepared to support the development and that they will assist as much as possible to ensure it becomes a reality. However, they have raised a number of issues which are currently being addressed. It is hoped to arrange a further meeting with the Director of Finance in the near future with a view to answering the Board's queries. Once the Parish is given the "green light" to proceed, the Architect and Quantity Surveyor will be able to finalise the relevant documentation prior to going to tender. I am not able to give a definite time table of events for the run up to commencement of building works at the moment because as you will appreciate there is a considerable amount of detailed planning and negotiation to take place. Also the serious downturn in the economic climate is an influence in formulating the funding proposals.
As I have said before we can remain optimistic that the project is within our reach and with the Parish Centre Fund approaching £100,000 I thank sincerely those involved in organizing the Fund Raising and all who have contributed so generously of their time and their financial support. Once the Diocese has given its approval I will be able to provide you with more details of the figures and funding proposals so that the Parish can move forward in earnest with the fund raising in order to turn the plans into reality.
Thank you again for all your support and I will continue to let you know how matters progress.
Fr Kevin (8th June 2008)
Brentwood Diocesan Trust wish to substantially improve the available facilities at this church and, following the refusal of a previous planning application, have commissioned a new revised proposal, which will be submitted to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council in October 2007.
The existing church hall and associated outbuildings are in varying states of neglect and expensive to maintain. The church is keen to redevelop this part of the site to the benefit of both the church and the local community.
This new scheme is to demolish the existing parish buildings and erect a new two storey Parish Hall linked to the church, reconfigure the car parking layout to provide improved parking and amenity areas, together with new planting.
The proposal has been carefully designed to provide an efficient and flexible replacement building which will improve the attractiveness of the site and enhance the setting of the church. It is designed to add to and harmonise with the architectural styles of the existing group of buildings.
The new building is intended for the many groups who currently use the Parish facilities and it is hoped additional community groups will benefit from the development which is considered to be far more suitable to the needs of the wider community today.
The ground floor will provide a new multi-purpose hall, capable of subdivision, together with ancillary storage and toilet facilities, with covered walkways providing pedestrian access to the church and adjacent garden areas. A further large hall is proposed at first floor level which will include a simple kitchen and a small bar, together with additional toilets and storage space. Access for the disabled is to be provided to all areas, including lift and designated toilet facilities.
An enlarged car park will improve on site parking and the safe circulation of pedestrians and vehicles. Additional landscaping, including the planting of trees, is also proposed, to improve the visual amenities of the area and provide an attractive setting for the building, which has been carefully designed to compliment the church and respect the scale and character of other properties in the locality.
The proposal addresses the Councils concerns associated with the previously refused scheme and we very much hope you will feel able to give this project your support.
General enquires regarding fundraising support activities can be addressed to: OLLParishCentre@aol.com