Sub-committee formed to examine future development plans

Initial consultations with community and local facility owners held to establish community needs. The Project to be called Winscombe New Space or WiNSpace for short

WiNSpace project committee expanded to include other non-trustee members of the community. Widespread consultation with the organisations including local groups, hall and clubs.

Talks began between the WiNSpace project and St James’s on possible WCA/Church joint project

Section 106 Application made to North Somerset and Parish Council for £300,000 to support the WiNSpace project to update their current buildings. This was included as part of the Woodborough Farm Redrow planning recommendations As part of the planning approval in Dec 2016 an award of £300,000 was granted as a contribution towards enlarging / refurbishing / rebuilding the Winscombe Community Centre.

Following a survey of the congregation the Church decided not to proceed with the current joint venture idea

With the feedback received from North Somerset Planners, an estimated cost for the ‘big build’ design and the Church no longer involved with the project, four options where put to the Parish – Option B was adopted.

Winscombe Community Association becomes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

1st Lottery bid for £500,000 unsuccessful creating a hole in our funding plan, although a smaller bid to the fund in the future would be possible.

Parish Council agree to support the project after a survey which showed the idea of a new community space in Winscombe had over 80% support. This was in two forms a Grant for £250,000 and a Loan to the WCA of £250,000.

Following the Covid epidemic and Ukraine conflict, building materials and labour costs soar, increasing likely cost of WiNSpace from £2.2M to £3.5M. This required a further rethink of the building design.

New funding source identified from the Government which allowed an application of £300,000 to be made

Latest building design agreed

By using the upstairs space in the south wing, which was initial there for future expansion (replacing the north wing large hall). A new building design was created which gave spaces with a similar floor area but at a much reduced cost.

Trustee agree to go for latest design with good viability of likely funds.

Work commences to update the business plans and to start the process of applying for grants from multiple organisations. The challenge was to start the build during 2024. The agreed approach was to use a phase building strategy. Phase 1 was to construct the new building to replace the old out buildings. Phase 2 was to refurbish the old school to re-purpose to be focused on the youth. Phase 3 would be the construction of the large auditorium when the was a need and funding for it

Professional Design Team put together to create a full specification and tender document for the new building design.

With the possibility of building to start in 2024 the Go WiNSpace 24 campaign was launched by the Trustees

Funding for New Building identified and awarded

After applying for many grants the WiNSpace team have been awarded nearly £1,000,000 of grants which combined with their and other local funds a total of £1,700,000 was reached. This was enough to confidently give the go ahead to sign a contract for the new building

Construction Company Appointed and final planning received

Following a robust tender process which started in March 24 Rigg Construction Ltd were appointed to construct the phase 1 building. At the same time WiNSpace received North Somerset Planning approval for their phase building approach.

Transition starts

With the imminent demolition of the youth club, Art Shed and sale of the headmasters house the spaces were cleared in readiness

Demolition of Youth Club and Art Shed starts with the removal of the Asbestos

New building starts to take shape with a planned opening event for Christmas 2025