COUNCILLORS in Haydon Wick have given their full support to a proposal to double the size of the parish offices.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday night, members discussed the plans and voted to proceed with the next stage of the proposed extension to the current building.

The discussion took place in the context of the parish council acquiring more meeting room space, which in turn could be let to various community groups.

Terry Powell, clerk to the parish council, said: “The existing building is a well-used community facility and usage has been increasing over the last three years. It is used by people in the community as well as local and national organisations – such as charities or other councils – with a hire charge that offers an affordable rate with a higher rate for commercial hires.

“At times bookings have to be declined due to high demand and this has prompted consideration of extending the building.”

The current building, located in Thames Avenue, offers two meeting areas that total 121.5 square metres. The proposed extensions will give the parish council four meeting rooms, with a total of 271 square metres.

In addition, it will provide a much needed lift to the upper floor to allow full access to people with disabilities.

The anticipated cost is somewhere in the region of £350,000, though that figure is likely to fluctuate going forward.

A slightly concerned Coun Dave Smith enquired about the feasibility of acquiring the necessary funding.

Unfortunately such decisions are yet to be made, but the possibilities include dipping into the council’s reserves, applying for a loan or a Lottery funding grant, though that last was thought somewhat unlikely.

Councillors also discussed how the extra space could be used; one idea was to use it as a nursery.

Although she fully backed the plan, Coun Clare Armagan urged caution, saying: “I’m a bit concerned that it will be fully occupied all the time rather than as a community centre for everyone to use. This is a significant capital investment and I think we need to be clear about what this building will be used for.

“We will be spending an awful lot of money on this and I just wonder what we will be getting back for it.”

Coun Smith urged fellow members not to get too bogged down with what the new building could be used for.

He said: “We are getting a bit carried away with how it will be used. Let’s get the thing built and see what we want to use it for afterwards.”

Councillors agreed to move forward and put the proposals to the planning committee.