Civic hall extension stays local

Saddleworth Parish Council

Local businesses and labour will be used when the planned extensions to Saddleworth Civic Hall go ahead, parish councillors decided last night.

Saddleworth Parish Council debated the latest plans in private because the report contained confidential financial details.

But in a statement afterwards, Councillor Brian Lord outlined the main elements of the alterations.

The ground-floor layout will be replaced with a multi-use civic room which will be available for meetings, conferences and weddings. Access will be via a new reception area direct from the car park.

Extra toilets, including disabled facilities, will be on the first floor, an access ramp is planned at the rear of the building for loading /unloading and an emergency disabled exit, there will be improved catering facilities and a lift between the kitchen and first floor.

There will also be improved storage facilities for surplus furniture, the flat roof at the rear of the building will be replaced with a pitched design and the red brick part of the building will be clad with stone.

Councillor Lord said: “These changes will not alter the capacity of the hall but will provide a better and more adaptable facility for present and future users.

“The design has been substantially altered after the council listened to the views of our near-neighbours.

The majority of the changes are as a result of consultation with present users and will ensure that the hall remains ‘fit for purpose’ despite its age.” Documents are being drawn up to check the costs of the work, but Councillor Lord said money is already in the current year’s budget so the costs will not increase the parish precept.

He added: “Following the recent publicity generated by the proposed development, inquiries for bookings have risen significantly.

“It was agreed to go out to tender and in order to keep the business local, the work will only be advertised in the local papers.”