Old community centre could be demolished

Bearpark Community Centre closed in 2021 but could soon be knocked down

A disused community centre could be knocked down to create a new facility for villagers.

Bearpark Community Centre closed in 2021 on health and safety grounds and now Durham County Council wants to knock it down.

In its place the council is considering building a smaller centre or creating an outdoor space, such as a garden, for the village, which is near the city of Durham.

The council has promised to work with residents and said "every effort will be made to secure resources towards the cost" of the project.

The site is owned by coal mining charity CISWO, which originally built the centre to provide recreational space for the mining community, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council is now asking residents for their views on what to do with the new site.

"The village has been going through a transformation from a former mining village to a place that has attracted new developments, housing, and families, which may have different need," it said.

It said it wanted whatever replaced the centre to be an "exciting, well-used and cared-for facility which adds to the local pride in the village".

Two proposals

The first option being considered is to turn the centre into an outdoor space, which could be linked to the park at its rear.

The space could be used as a community garden, play area, market space or an event space for seasonal fairs.

The second option would see a smaller community centre built on the land. However, the council warned this option would take longer to achieve.

The council said it would work with a local group that can help it attract funding and take responsibility for running and maintaining the building.

A consultation on the plans is open and closes at 17:00 GMT on 17 November.