A national house builder has declined a request to help with the restoration of a 100 year old village hall which lies on the edge of their new development.
David Wilson Homes were approached to provide a grant towards the cost of replacing the roof at Dean Row Village Hall, located next to their Bollin Park development of four and five bedroom homes at Adlington Road.
The Trustees of Dean Row Village Hall applied to a number of organisations for grants to replace the roof of the hall including Wilmslow Town Council who considered their grant application for £5000 at their meeting on Monday, 20th March.
The village hall is used regularly by many local groups and they have received two quotes for the required work, which will cost in the region of £25,000.
Wilmslow Town Council agreed that a sum of £2000 be ring fenced for this project and released for payment when they have received notification that other funds or sources have been identified.
Speaking at the Town Council meeting Councillor David Pincombe said "During our discussions we mentioned that the Ward Councillor for the area should be contacted with regard to finding out if any S106 money could be made available. We also suggest that the developers on the Bollin Park development site be approached with regard to community funding or providing time and materials."
Councillor Mark Goldsmith responded "Wilson Homes have refused to help in this case. It went through to their committee and they said they won't offer any money."
Councillor Toni Fox told wilmslow.co.uk "The Trustees had approached both David Wilson Homes and Jones Homes but had not received a response and I therefore offered to contact them myself.
"A representative of David Wilson Homes informed me with regret that they were unable to support the grant application and I have received a further email clarifying their decision from them this morning:
'The community bursary scheme that we operate (Our Space Your Place) awards up to £1,000 for community projects. With a limited budget we have to be very selective and we tend to focus on schemes where we can spread that budget around to maximum effect. It is unclear to me how much funding you are seeking, but it seems to be far in excess of our normal level of assistance. As much as we would like to help, awarding such an amount would potentially use up the annual OSYP budget.
'We are sure it is a very worthy cause, and we would like to help, but the figures that have been mentioned are beyond what we normally consider.'
Councillor Fox added "This morning I suggested a grant of £2,000 to match that of Wilmslow Town Council. Previously I had suggested £5,000 to £10,000 anticipating that a company of its size would have this type of resource but have received the following response: 'Thanks for that further information, but it is simply outside of the scope of contribution that we can consider. In addition our funds for this quarter are already committed'.
"I suggested this would be a gesture that would be appreciated by existing residents but it appears they are adamant."
She continued "A representative of Jones Homes stated they would be willing to consider making a grant on knowing the outcome of other grant applications submitted and I will be contacting them to advise of the decision made by Wilmslow Town Council."
Speaking at the Town Council meeting Councillor Frank McCarthy said "I do find it very difficult to comprehend. The builder has been putting on a major development right next door to this 100 year hall, which pretty much joins right up to it, and can't feel they can help the community with something which is really right next door to them. I find that staggering quite honestly so I do wish anybody their good luck in trying to get something out of them. I think they should be shamed into helping.
"We've got builders on the site, we've got a hall that is over 100 years old. It is used by the community, surely these builders could do something to help. I think its disgraceful."
Updated: 12.30pm Thursday, 23rd March.
A spokesperson for Jones Homes said: "Now that we are aware of the outcome of the other grant applications, we will consider our contribution."
Comments
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Good to see our independent CEC Councillors getting involved, as expected the party-political blokes are silent... again.
And some parts of the "Marketing Industry Sector" says they say "any kind of press is good press".
I would agree to differ.
Just to clear things up both Wilson and Jones are developing Bollin Park. The hall backs on to the Jones creation. One would think both could chip in to assist this project. Is it not the case that new residents of Bollin Park will be a part of the Dean Row community.
Shame on David Wilson Homes!
At least Jones's Homes is prepared to await the outcome of other applications for grant help.