BIG ideas for Penhill have a big opportunity to succeed within a community centre which has been opened up to interested parties by Swindon Council.

The single storey premises in Atworth Close, which is best known for its use by the NSPCC, is the subject of a new invitation for bidders to take control and make their dreams a reality.

NSPCC began to phase out its use of the building in 2011 and once it was deemed surplus to requirements it fell into the council’s control this summer.

Andy Reeves, the council lead for the north central locality, said: “We have had a number of expressions of interest in this building and we are formalising that.

“We are using the community asset transfer policy to allow the residents and these groups to follow through with their interest.”

The lease of the premises is available for £16,000 per year, though this would be significantly lower for a charitable or not-for-profit organisation.

The deadline for bids is February 13, 2015, with a period for presentations to be made by bidders during the week commencing March 2.

Mr Reeves said the authority hopes any bidder will provide a use which would complement the existing community assets John Moulton Hall and Chippenham Close Community Centre.

“We want to make sure it can be put into use as soon as possible. We don’t want it to be empty,” he said.

“We want something that can complement what’s going on at the moment. It could be anything from children’s activities in a nursery to an adult learning centre.

“The process is very open and the building is open to any ideas. It’s an extremely malleable lot which can accommodate between 100 and 150 people at its peak.”

The locality lead backed the potential the asset had, with 15 free car parking spaces, straightforward access from North Swindon and Haydon Wick, along with the space inside.

The planning use currently listed for the premises includes community centres, nurseries, places of worship, education and day centres.

Inside the walls there is a large community room, seven offices, kitchen, visitor and staff toilets, reception and entrance lobby and secure play area.

The authority will apply what it has learnt in the processes which have taken place in the past, when John Moulton Hall also changed hands.

“The crucial aspect of that process was that it didn’t close,” said Mr Reeves. “It’s important when we close one door we open another for people and we are trying to do that here.

“We are putting the infrastructure in place for you if you want to take something on of this size.

“This isn’t just about big organisations. This process is there for a group of local people who might want to club together and set something up.

“We are not excluding residents from this. If people have a good idea for Penhill, talk to us and see what we can do with it.”