Parracombe Community Trust had by now been hoping to provide an update on progress for a new-look, repaired and refurbished Village Hall.
However, the complexities and amount of work required to submit grant applications to potential major funders – such as the National Lottery – are taking longer than expected.
Until we get an indication from a major funder that our project is suitable for financial support (and, crucially, how much support might be provided) there seems little point in calling a village meeting.
Please be assured that as soon as we have news to share we will let everyone know.
Meanwhile, here’s a brief re-cap of where things stand with the hall project,
Background
The Trust leases Parracombe Village Hall from the Parish Council, which stepped in to buy it some five years ago. It is in a poor state, largely because previous owners failed to carry out key works and maintenance. It now urgently needs wide-ranging repairs and modernisation including, but not limited to, a new roof, remedial works to the back wall, floor repairs, revamped toilets, a surfaced car park, improved waste-water drainage and better insulation.
The Community Trust’s Management Committee has approved these works in principle along with an interior re-design to make better use of our kitchen and bar space
The National Lottery Community Fund provided c.£22,000 to work up a feasibility study for the above, plus the addition of an entry extension. NL advisors suggested an ambitious approach rather than aiming low. Planning permission was later granted by ENPA. The cost was estimated at c.1.2 million
Subsequently, the funding landscape changed amid domestic and global economic headwinds. The Trust then instructed its Village Hall Development Group to scale down the original proposals to ensure more modest funding requirements.
Scaled down plan for phased works
The Development Group decided it made sense to stick with the proposal which had achieved planning permission but with two key differences. Firstly, work would be done across four phases and funding would be sought for only one phase at a time.
Secondly, tweaks to the interior layout would allow costings for Phase 1 (main repairs and re-build) to be reduced to around £500,000 – including contingencies and VAT
Phase 2 would provide permanent instead of temporary toilets, Phase 3 the back wall re-build and Phase 4 (if still required) the new entry extension. These latter phases could be ‘bolted on’ to Phase 1 without the need for a new planning application and only once further funding was obtained.
It’s important to note that moving from one phase to another would include some ‘overlaps’ and that in completing any phase we would need to keep an eye on the future.
We would also need to stay flexible, building when and where we can to avoid future and unnecessary costs. The balancing act would be to retain a usable space, as far as possible, while works are ongoing. This would involve a high degree of planning.
Funding strategy
The Hall Development Group believes we need to establish a principal funding partner. Given that the National Lottery Community Fund provided money for the feasibility study, it would seem like the obvious first approach. A Stage 1 application (essentially an expression of interest) is being prepared to submit to this fund.
The Development Group is also exploring potential applications to the Arts Council, which administers National Lottery funding, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. While the hall’s operations align closely with the former – it already stages a range of live music and performance art, as well as hosting numerous community arts groups – any approach to the latter would need to be more nuanced. All three Lottery funds require extensive supporting documentation, including a business plan.
Other financing possibilities include the Community Trust’s own fundraising efforts, a share issue to members and supporters (similar to the way money was raised for the Pavilion Stores and Café), a low-cost loan from organisations such as Better Finance and approaches to national charities known to support village communities such as Garfield Weston and Bernard Sunley.
There is a continuing debate about VAT registration as this would significantly reduce net costs by allowing VAT on building works to be reclaimed. However, this is a complex area and there are competing considerations.
Parracombe Village Hall Development Committee, June 2026