2015

• Financial difficulties and unpaid debts led to Ibstock Miners Welfare Scheme - a registered charity - being evicted - management of the facility was taken on by the Parish Council

December 2016

• Following episodes of vandalism the site was closed - insurance claims were not accepted due to a legal 'loophole'

2018

• A lengthy legal process - to dissolve the charity and allow the Parish Council to gain ownership - was finally settled in 2018 - but costs for updating the building escalated due to changes in Building Regulations and standards

Summer 2019

• Consultant appointed to produce a feasibility study for use of the site

November 2019

• Consultant resigned for personal reasons

Spring 2020

• Covid 19 - and training of new councillors delayed any progress with the site

Spring - summer 2021

• Ideas for the site were discussed by the council
• Focus moved onto use of adjacent facilities - particularly football

Summer - autumn 2021

• Options for Welfare site discussed again with Parish Council
• Architect was then appointed to provide general design sketches
• Sketches viewed by council - showing three options

Spring 2022

• January - design sketches - depicting the three options - were presented for public comment
• January - April 2022 - leaflet produced showing the three options for the site - with form for comments and suggestions - and sent out to all residents

Spring - summer 2022

• The council acknowledged that the response to the consultation could not be considered as a sufficient representation of the majority of residents
• Many questions were raised about possible solutions for the site - such as the impact on existing amenities and the eventual maintenance costs
• It was agreed that sources of funds had to be established, and the use and means of operation of the site more clearly understood - in order to create a feasible proposal
• A business analyst was commissioned to look at factors such as:

Local population and demographics

Existing activities and organisations - and the impact on them of any new amenity

Maintenance and operational costs or a community building

Feasibility of income generation - and possible sources of income - from the facility

Realistic building and site development costs

• The council decided that renovation of the building and site - providing a facility combining some business use with a community hall - would represent best use of funds - whilst offering opportunities for revenue

Summer - autumn 2022

• Focus moved again to agreeing more workable arrangements for use of the football grounds - in order to establish standards which would ensure the maintenance of the facility for local clubs

Spring - summer 2023

• Village buildings questionnaire issued - April
• Council focused on a building refurbishment - designed to include some business use space

Autumn 2023 - spring 2024

• Council to focus on the Welfare site development specifically
• Decision made to develop the 'remodel' design for Planning approval and costing

Following the unfortunate closure and vandalism of the welfare site the parish council have always planned to reopen/replace the welfare building.

After several years of legal wrangles, we are now in a position to be able to move forwards. We need your thoughts.

Working with local architects, we have three options to get us going

Option 1 - Demolish the building and make good the footprint to proode additional parking for users of the site (football, bowls Pigeon club)

Option 2 - Using the footprint of the existing building, remodel and rebuild. (This would not be a renovation/repair, it would be a remodel/rebuild using the existing footprint, but ensuring the building met with 2022 compliance for disabled access/toilets etc providing a community building for the growing/developing community.

Option 3 - Demolish the old building and build a purpose built community building at a better location of the site.

We value your comments and feedback on this suggestions.