Thorpe Astley Community Centre

The Town Council has worked in Partnership with Blaby District Council and the Thorpe Astley Community Partnership with regard to the plans for the new Thorpe Astley Community Centre. On 2nd July 2007 leading members of Blaby District Council and Braunstone Town Council attended a meeting to explore ways in which the two authorities could improve partnership working so as to get the Centre built as soon as possible. (Updated 3/7/07)
On 7th August 2007 the final meeting of the Thorpe Astley Community Centre Advisory Group was held and the plans for the proposed community facility were finalised. The matter will now be considered at Blaby District Councils Cabinet Meeting on 7th September. Subject to approval a formal planning application will be made and work could start on site in the spring of 2008. Representatives from Blaby District and Braunstone Town Council are due to hold discussions in the near future with regard to the future management of the centre. A range of options will be considered by the District Council. Braunstone Town Council is prepared to accept financial responsibility for running the centre in accordance with the Councils Policy Statement dated 30th October 2006.
(Updated 16/8/07)

Blaby District Council Cabinet members have agreed that a new Community Centre at Thorpe Astley should be built to be as environmentally friendly as possible
At their meeting on Sept 7th the Council’s Cabinet members approved in principle the use of measures which could reduce the Co2 emissions of a new community centre by 43% and its annual energy consumption by 49%.
This could be achieved by installing a rain water harvesting system which would collect water from the roof of the building and recycle it for use in flushing toilets and the installation of a free standing wind turbine to generate power to run the building’s heat pump.
Preliminary plans for the new centre already include the use of under floor heating, high efficiency condensing water heaters, low energy lighting, natural ventilation, timber from renewable sources, high insulation levels using natural products and recycled aluminium for window frames.
Detailed plans for the centre are still being drawn up and will be submitted for approval through the Council’s normal planning and building regulations processes in due course.
(Updated 4/10/07)

Braunstone Town Councils Policy Committee have agreed to contribute £5000 towards the cost of the wind turbine and rainwater harvesting systems. This contribution is subject to the Town Council being asked by Blaby DC to manage the Centre and will be made in recognition of the likely savings in revenue costs.
(Updated 29/10/07)

Planning Appication Thorpe Astley Community Building Lakin Drive
Planning Application No 07/1123/1/PXCS
Construction of new community centre and associated car park and erection of 15m wind turbine. Thorpe Astley Community Building Lakin Drive Thorpe Astley Braunstone Town Leicester. A copy of the Application and plans are available for inspection at Braunstone Civic Centre. Any observations to Blaby District Council before 25th December 2007
(Updated 11/12/07)

BLABY DISTRICT COUNCIL CABINET DECISION - 31/1/08
(1) Braunstone Town Council (BTC) take on the future management
arrangements for the proposed Community Centre at Thorpe Astley
subject to:-
- conclusion of lease arrangements;
- agreement on community involvement in the future management
arrangements.
Reasons:
(1) Braunstone Town Council has demonstrated it meets the criteria for selection (endorsed by Cabinet Executive on 6 December 2007) for the proposed community centre at Thorpe Astley. Discussions with BTC now need to resolve transfer arrangements.
(2) Discussions with BTC need to facilitate community satisfaction on the proposed management arrangements.
(Updated 6/2/08)

Community Centre Gets Planning Permission
Planning Application No.07/1123/1/PXCS
Construction of new community centre
and associated car park and erection of 15m wind turbine0
Thorpe Astley Community Building, Lakin Drive, Thorpe Astley, Braunstone Town

BLaby District Councils Planning Committee granted consent on 31st January 2008 subject to conditions which include :
1. Statutory 3 year condition.
2. Materials as specified in application.
3. Landscaping to be agreed.
4. Landscaping scheme to be carried out.
5. Details of lighting, CCTV facilities, to be agreed prior to installation.
6. Surface water and foul sewage drainage scheme to be submitted and
undertaken.
7. Car and cycle parking to be provided in accordance with submitted plans.

(Updated 7/2/08)

BLABY DISTRICT COUNCIL'S BUILDING WORKS TIMETABLE
Invitation to Tender to be issued 18th April 2008
Contractor to be Appointed June 2008
Start on Site - July 2008
40 Week Construction Period
Earliest Completion - April 2009

FUTURE MANAGEMENT
Braunstone Town Council has offered to take over the future management of the Centre. It has been estimated that a full years running costs will amount to over £80,796 which the Town Council will meet from it's Precept.
This offer is subject to a satisfactory lease/legal transfer being negotiated - Officers from both authorities are meeting at regular intervals to discuss the arrangements.
(Updated 17/3/08)

AGREEMENT REACHED ON FUTURE MANAGEMENT
A letter from Blaby District Council offering to extend the proposed lease period to 15 years with the inclusion of the review clause at both 5 and 10 years, was received at Braunstone Town Councils last Policy Committee Meeting. Members were disappointed to note however that the tenders received by Blaby District Council for the building of the centre had come in over budget and that re-tendering would take place.

It was however agreed that a response be sent to Blaby District Council confirming that the proposal for a 15 year lease would be acceptable to the Town Council, however, it would be made clear that the Town Council would only accept taking over the responsibility of the centre subject to the building and its immediate grounds being transferred completely ready for use. It would also be subject to any changes to the specification not adversely affecting income and running costs of the centre.

It would also be requested therefore that the Town Council be fully consulted on any changes to the specification and recommended that the District Council also consult Thorpe Astley residents.

An update on the timescale for the re-tendering and commencement of building works would be requested.

(Updated 29/8/08)

IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES PLEASE CONTACT - Executive Officer & Town Clerk - Mr Ian Laughton
Braunstone Town Council, Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Braunstone Town, Leicester, LE3 2PP.

Telephone: 0116 2899270
Fax: 0116 2824785
Email: ianlaughton@braunstonetowncouncil.org.uk