Ambitious plans for new sports and community hub for village

A steering group of representatives from various interested community organisations and residents in Pointon have been meeting over the last three months to develop a new village hall and sports pavilion complex.

Andrew Ramm, chairman of Pointon Village Hall Management Committee, explained: “The idea of a new community sports and social centre is really at a very early stage, the facts are that the old sports pavilion which comprised two social rooms with a bar, a small kitchen and two football changing rooms with showers, to FA standard, desperately needs replacing.”

The sports and social club is currently unfit for use after a health and safety inspection threw up concerns.

Mr Ramm went on: “Also, given the existing village hall in Pointon was built in 1954 and that this too requires replacement, a new combined building makes good sense.”

Among the proposals would be installation of new children’s play equipment, as some current items are reaching the end of their working lives

The Steering Committee set up comprises village hall Trustees, parish councillors, a member of Pointon Football Club and two parishioners, who have been considering the options for a combined facility.

Mr Ramm said: “Several options have been considered including the idea, attempted 20 years ago, to site a new community sports and social centre building on the existing playing field.”

He said that no decision has been reached over this option and any proposal must and will have to go to a public consultation before anything can be decided.

As landowner of the playing field, it would also have to be approved by the parish council, but councillors expressed their willingness to support funding and planning applications for the scheme to save on costs.

Chairman of Pointon parish council, Chris South said at their latest meeting: “There are some arguments that you cannot build on the playing field, but that is incorrect. The documents have been checked with solicitors.” The precedent had already been set with the building of the current sports and social club building on the field.

Coun South said: “Some plans have been drawn up and look really good, which incorporate car parking, playing field equipment and a new village hall, a change in layout for the sports field with all-weather and multi-use pitches and other things.”

He said the steering group were looking at drawing in support from outlying communities such as Aslackby which have no such facilities and so could share the space. “Peopel could be paying for the use of these facilities and bring money and people into the village,” said Coun South.

Early discussions with South Kesteven District Council planning officers advised against calling it a new village hall, as permission may be unsuccessful due to there already being an existing hall. Instead they would brand it as a sports and community hub.

Coun South said: “The village needs it as a replacement for the pavilion and if we work as a team to get the funding we can get this - and we have people on board who know how to get the funding bids together.”

Once plans and outline drawings are formulated, parishioners will be consulted.

Mr Ramm said: “The steering group have looked at options from replacing the existing village hall with a new structure, a whole new combined building is one of several options. If we get a new community hub the old hall will be repurposed for something else - there are options. If we don’t get the money we continue to use the existing village hall as a meeting place. Rest assured, the village hall is doing very well and will continue to, but it may be repurposed. There is no need to demolish it.”