New community hall lands in village
A new community hall has landed in King’s Somborne after a two-year project which raised almost £230,000.
The building, which will be a hub for the community, will also be utilised by Sombornes Preschool, who currently use the village hall for a number of their activities. The idea for the new building came as a result of the Neighbourhood Development Plan survey in the community which was undertaken a few years ago, which suggested the need for a new facility.
Test Valley Borough Council contributed £120,000 towards the project, which was delivered and built in the village in the space of 24 hours.
A total of £95,000 came through the Community Infrastructure Levy, which is when the council charges on new development across the borough that meets certain criteria. Those looking to provide new infrastructure, facilities or services can then bid for a share of the levy money. Another £25,000 was then awarded through a Community Asset Fund from the council.
The end product was a result of a cross-party community project team working on behalf of the parish council and the borough authority. The hall will open in the second week of January.
Other organisations to put forward funds included Hampshire County Council, Awards for All, the Loddon Test Leader Programme, King’s Somborne Parish Council and the Village Hall, who ran community fundraising events to contribute £30,000.
Led by Mid Test ward councillor and community and leisure portfolio holder, Tony Ward, the project took around two years to finish.
With the groundwork and services all completed by contractors, the building was delivered in five sections on November 5 and then craned into position.
Councillor Tony Ward said: “I am so hugely grateful for the wider community’s support in this project. King’s Somborne is a unique place and everyone has truly come together to make this happen.
“Now, the village hall will be freed up as the preschool has a new place to call home for some of its activities, and the new hall will also be a new hub for the community to enjoy, too.”