Ashbourne: Levelling up plans for £6.4m community hub approved

An artist's impression shows how the revamped church would look

Plans to create a new £6.4m community centre in a Derbyshire town have been given the green light.

The Ashbourne Methodist Church wants to redevelop its church buildings, in Church Street, as a multi-purpose hub with space for events and worship.

The project is part of the wider Ashbourne Reborn regeneration of the town centre, which is being funded with government levelling up cash.

The new centre could open in summer 2025, the church said.

Derbyshire Dales District Council's planning committee voted to support the church's proposal when it met on Tuesday.

The proposed interior of the new hub

The scheme will create a new foyer linking the main Victorian Grade II-listed church, the Century Hall, and an extended and upgraded Cornerstone Cafe.

Meeting rooms for community and business use and a new community garden are also proposed.

Tony Walker, leader of the church's development team, said: "Our vision is to provide a seven-days-a-week community, arts and church resource which contributes to our town for decades to come."

The church is investing £1.4m, collected through fundraising and donations, in the revamp and the remaining £5m is coming from the £15.2m levelling up funding for the town.