Great Oldbury community centre opens to a huge chorus of approval
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There were cheers all round when the parishioners of Great Oldbury officially opened their brand new Community Centre at the heart of their burgeoning housing development.
The top-class £3.5 million complex was handed over to the new Parish Council by developer Robert Hitchins Ltd which led and funded the project with their development partners Redrow South West.
Cutting the ribbon was special guest Lewis Ludlow, the captain of Gloucester Rugby, with a little help from the youngest visitor to the celebration, three-year-old Freddie Yule who was there with his grandparents Steve and Lisa Whitlock who live on the new development.
Robert Hitchins provided the centre as part of its s106 Planning Obligations in respect of its major development project at Great Oldbury near Stonehouse which includes a permitted 1,350 homes, a local centre, a new school and an employment area, just off the A419 and J13 of the M5 near Stonehouse.
The Community Centre complex has a meeting room, office, sports hall, changing facilities, storage rooms, kitchen, parking and a fully-equipped children’s playground. The parish council also has a 25-year lease on the adjoining sports pitches.
“This is a fantastic facility and we’re very proud to have been involved from the beginning,” said Gordon Jeynes, Technical and Residential Development Director at Robert Hitchins. “We have a very good working relationship with the Parish and are pleased to be able to hand over this facility to them and assist where we can going forward.”
He thanked all the partners who helped bring the centre to fruition: architects Quattro Design, construction company Barnwood, and Project Managers Ward Williams.
For the newly formed Great Oldbury Parish Council, the new centre also provides them with their own home.
Chair Phill Ward couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. “It’s an excellent, modern community facility and we’re very grateful. A lot of other councils would give their right arm for something like this,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to finally be here and to open it with everyone’s support. We’re looking forward to bringing it into use – for parties, meetings, sports, community groups – when booking opens on January 1.”
Joyce Clifford from architects Quattro Design was pleased with the final product. “It’s been great to be involved. I’ve never seen a community come on board with such enthusiasm before. We’ve loved being part of it,” she said.
Stuart Pearce, Joint Managing Director of Barnwood Limited's Construction Division, added: “As a local contractor, it was a real pleasure to be involved with a great team providing such a fantastic facility for the local community.”
Planning permission for the Great Oldbury mixed-use development was granted in 2016 and, since then, most of the housing has been built or is under construction and Great Oldbury Primary Academy, also provided by Robert Hitchins, opened in 2021.
Irene Simms is one resident who loves the new development and has offered to volunteer at the community centre. She moved to Great Oldbury to be nearer her family two years ago. “I love it here. It’s quiet, friendly and very accessible. I couldn’t wish to be anywhere better,” she said.
