Plans for new community centre and nature reserve in Shaftesbury

The Mampitts Lane Community Land Trust has put in an application

Author: Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy ReporterPublished 7th Dec 2023

Plans for a new community centre and nature reserve in Shaftesbury are now in the planning system – after a long delay following the completion of surrounding homes.

The details for the multi-use building and surrounding landscaped green spaces have been submitted to Dorset Council by the Mampitts Lane Community Land Trust.

The centre, off Mampitts Lane, comes as part of a legal agreement with Persimmon Homes when it was given planning permission in 2007 for a homes development in the area.

The timber clad community building with aluminium-framed doors and windows will come with a natural slate roof if Dorset Council agrees the design, with a wildlife area as part of the landscaping scheme.

The Community Land Trust says it has conducted extensive community consultations in 2020, 2021 and 2022 before it submitted an updated proposal in May 2022 which Dorset Council supported.

It also submitted a petition of 760 local residents who backed the proposals for a community hall and nature park with the Community Land Trust nominated by Dorset Council to deliver, own and operate the facility.

The main hall will be 12 metres by 7 metres with a smaller meeting room 7 metres by 5 metres as part of the scheme.

The kitchen will be next to the main hall and will also be able to provide food and drink for a community café and the smaller hall.

Toilet facilities are proposed to be off the main lobby, with a shower and a disabled WC separate to the main facilities.

Also planned is a store area for stackable chairs, tables and other hall equipment and a plant room with an external access.

The hall will be fitted with CCTV cameras inside and out and an alarm system, with bi-fold doors in the south eastern corner of the building giving access to an open veranda area overlooking the events field and a small play area.

Parking spaces for 21 cars has been designed within the site.

The existing trees and hedgerows will all be retained with a further 29 new trees planted within the site.

The entire site will be legally protected for future generations by giving it ‘Fields In Trust’ status.

The wilderness area in the south western part of the main field will be retained with wild flower margins installed to complement the trees and hedgerows.

The main field will have a large grassed open ‘events area’ that will be used for fetes, sport, games, picnics, fitness clubs and other community events and as an Air Ambulance helicopter landing area.

Also proposed is an oak gazebo located on the ‘village green’ area adjacent to Mampitts Lane/Maple Road to be in view of the shop and houses, rather than out of sight on the main field.

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