NEWS
CROWN HALL Community Hall
Planning permission has recently been agreed, but The Duchy wish to consult with residents about what facilities are needed before building starts
Recognising that recreation is such an important part of life for the residents, families and businesses in Poundbury, The Duchy have decided to run several consultation exercises in the summer. These will establish exactly what community facilities are needed for generations to come. Duchy Estate Director Ben Murphy said he plans to consult widely before any work starts on the Crown Hall and on all the facilities planned for the Great Field. It follows Planning Permission being agreed by West Dorset District Council earlier this year for Crown Hall in the new North East Quadrant. The Duchy was obliged to provide a second community hall by the time the 601st dwelling is occupied in Phases 3 and 4 which includes the North East Quadrant. However, The Duchy’ s Estate Director Ben Murphy confirmed a review will soon be under way on the potential need and viability for Crown Hall in the North East Quadrant, in light of other community facilities in the pipeline and concerns raised by many residents and stakeholders about over provision of facilities leading to“ white elephants”.
He said:“ The detailed planning application illustrates how Crown Hall was designed to satisfy the brief for a new 300 seater community hall in Poundbury. Crown Hall is a prominent building sitting at the heart of Crown Square – the main commercial square in this quadrant.“ The building itself is designed with good accessibility in mind for a community hall, with sufficient parking and pedestrian connections to the wider Poundbury community.” He added:“ However, now seems a good time to take stock of Poundbury ' s recreational needs and consult widely with Poundbury residents to see whether there ' s a genuine need and appetite for the community to take on and manage such a large project."“ This is because the new community facilities, both developed and in the pipeline, and the district council’ s own audit of community facilities have raised some valid questions over the demand, operation and viability of such a facility.” If it goes ahead, Crown Hall will be set in the heart of Crown Square, which will be lined with larger civic style buildings providing a mix of shops, offices and
Ben Murphy of The Duchy of Cornwall
residential uses. In addition to plans for the new community hall The Duchy confirmed it will be working with the town council to broaden its consultation, which will include all the facilities planned for the Great Field including children’ s play equipment, a pavilion, skate park and BMX Track, tree planting and new allotments. Close by in Pummery Square sits the Brownsword Hall, which is currently used by the community and can sit 80 people.
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