Village plans new community centre

A task force of more than 20 volunteers has been assembled to lead the project

Residents in a village in Shropshire are drawing up plans for a new community centre, to replace an ageing sports club and village hall.

It is expected the new community building in Alveley will be financed through the sale of land owned by the local social club for housing.

Members of Alveley's Social Club, Recreation Association and Memorial Hall have come together to form a Community Interest Company to progress the plans.

William Lloyd, a spokesperson for the group, said: "We want to build a modern community centre that's fit for the future, and that celebrates our village and community's shared heritage and history."

The new community centre is being earmarked for the current site of the sports club and village hall, which the group said were both "in dire need of repair".

Mr Lloyd said "a substantial amount of money" would be needed for that work.

The group said it had looked at similar projects elsewhere and estimated the new community centre could cost about £3m.

The new building would be built on the site of the current sports club and village hall

A survey of people living in the area found they wanted "flexible rooms, sports facilities, meeting spaces, a bar, a kitchen, and changing rooms".

The group said it also wanted to retain parts of the parish memorial hall and would preserve the war roll of honour and memorial stone plaque in the new building.

Mr Lloyd said that would ensure "enduring memories of those in the village who served for decades to come".