Old forge community hub plan supported

PLANS to convert a former vehicle repair garage in Binfield Heath have been supported by residents.

Rob Peckham, on behalf of the trustees of the forge, has applied to convert it and its accompanying annexe into a community hub.

This would bring the vacant buildings, which the trust says is dilapidated, back into use.

Villagers have written to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, in support of the plans.

Chris Ash, who lives in Kiln Lane, said: “This is an imaginative and efficient use of the limited space available to the historic forge building.

“The position of the old forge at the centre of the village, close to the post office and stores, will ensure that the re-purposed forge will become an active and well used facility for all.”

Philippa Sanders, who lives in Heathfield Close, said the new building would be an asset to the village.

She said: “The design has obviously striven to preserve as many of the features of the old building as possible, while providing flexible interior space for the use of small groups.”

The parish council has also recommended that the plans are approved.

Thought to have been built in 1878 to be used as a forge, the building has been vacant since the Cotterill family, who ran a vehicle repair business there, left in 2021 afer 57 years.

It was sold to an individual who placed it in the care of The Forge charity.

The charity approached Oakleaf building surveyors to develop proposals and designs for the conversion.

After public consultations that began in 2022, it was decided that the space should be converted to accommodate as many existing community interests as possible.

Based on feedback from the consultations, it could provide a space for meetings, yoga, photography, and mother and baby groups.

It was also suggested it could be used for a working hub for light repair sessions, which no existing building in the village provides a space for.

Following a final public consultation meeting in June, the charity submitted the planning application.

The district council will make a final decision by October 10.