A new community centre is set to become part of a Sheffield village offering a range of local facilities including keeping the local library.
Plans are well underway for a £500,000 centre in Woodhouse village which will include giving a new home to the local library by moving it across the road into the new state of the art building on Sheffield Road. The proposed design solution mixes contemporary architecture for the community building with more traditional forms for the new housing.
The single-storey community centre, which is being built by local developer Jaguar Estates Group, will be run by local people and will offer a variety of facilities giving a focal point for the village community.
The project, which has been supported by Sheffield City Council, is scheduled to be built later this year, following detailed planning approval. The greater scheme will include eight bungalows and four houses to be built on the site at the junction of Stradbroke Road and Sheffield Road, which will also retain some urban green space.
Award-winning Jaguar Estates Group is a niche, Sheffield based developer with more than 50 years’ experience in creating high quality developments that fit in with the local environment and area. It is currently working on several projects across the South Yorkshire region.
Rod Wadsworth, a Jaguar Estates Group Director, said the project would help create a modern new home and one-stop venue, for a range of community facilities.
“We’re excited about this project as it gives us the opportunity to create a space that is welcoming and appealing and also flexible for a range of essential community services and projects – all under one roof. We’re looking forward to taking this to the next stage and to its opening in 2019,” he said.
Martin Smith, Director of Self Architects said: “This scheme is one we have been working on for some time and we are extremely pleased to have submitted our design proposals on behalf of both our client, Jaguar Estates Group and Sheffield City Council who will operate the community building.
Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure and Sheffield City Council said: “We are pleased to have been able to support this new community building which will be a much needed and loved resource for people in Woodhouse and the surrounding area. We have worked closely with the community that runs the library to bring forward these plans and look forward to seeing them com to fruition.”
Local councillor Jackie Satur added: “I welcome this wonderful news on behalf of myself and fellow councillors Mick Rooney and Paul Wood. I know how eagerly anticipated this news is within the Woodhouse community and how long they have waited for confirmation that the new library and Community Hub would be built. It is important that I thank the Woodhouse Community Forum for all their hard work and patience on this project. We are pleased that Jaguar Estates Group has committed to building a new facility as part of their larger plans for the area.”
Howard Constable of the Woodhouse Forum added: “It is fantastic news that Woodhouse is to get its own new library and community centre after a very long time without any civic buildings, it will serve the community well and will be a magnet for the whole community. We wish to thank the staff and volunteers of Woodhouse and District Community Forum and all of our local city councils for their continued support in this matter.”
Further details on the final designs, created by Self Architects should be available in late Spring, with a start on site planned for this coming Summer.
South East Sheffield 