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The deadline for comments on the planning application to demolish the St John’s Ambulance Building along Chapel Road and build a private studio has now passed. The final decision is in the hands of the Planning Committee of Colchester Borough Council. This is an incredibly sensitive hyperlocal issue. Now may be a good time to post up the alternative plans that I have been sent by the Wivenhoe Community Trust.

The WCT is a registered charity that has been established with the aim of buying and renovating the St John’s building, and then running it for use within the community. Brian Sinclair is the Chair of the group, Peter Hill the Vice Chair and Tim Sherwen is the Secretary. Seven other Trustees comprise the Committee.

Tim has made available to me some further thoughts from the WCT in which to share. The background to the current Planning Application is explained:

“In July 2011 a Planning Application was submitted to Colchester Borough Council (CBC) on behalf of a local potter, to demolish the Hall and build in its place a ‘two-storey flat-roof building comprising an artist’s studio on the ground floor and a two-bedroom dwelling on the first floor.’ In October the Application was refused by the CBC Planning Committee by a majority of 10 votes to 2.

Since then St John Ambulance Essex County division has extended the applicant’s contract to allow her to ‘challenge / reverse the position in her favour’ and further applications have been submitted to Colchester Borough Council. Once again the applicant wishes to demolish the hall.”

There was musch surprise locally when the re-submitted application appeared. At least it shows that due process is being observed by all parties. If successful in saving the Hall from demolition, WCT has outlined what steps it will take to then transform the building and hand it back to the community as a local facility:

“Our Business Plan sets out the aims and objectives of the Wivenhoe Community Trust, which are to purchase the Hall and offer it to the community for hire at affordable rates. Initial discussions with various public bodies indicate that sufficient funds should be forthcoming to fund its restoration according to the cost schedule set out in Appendix C. The Essex County Council Big Society Fund has confirmed that the project fits well with their objectives .

We plan to create for hire an attractive, interesting, easily accessible place for a diverse range of community activities. Our plan will save from demolition and restore a Heritage Asset, a building that represents a significant chapter of Wivenhoe’s religious and secular history, and so enhance the quality of the Conservation Area. We will provide a much-needed Community Asset, the only one, owned and managed by local people and available for hire by any of the many voluntary organisations in the town in perpetuity.”

As for the funding?

“The capital for the purchase will be donated. In this way the Trust will benefit from the 20% tax concession for gift aid, and 90% relief on local business rates. With regard to the funds for restoration, these will be raised from various granting organisations and from the local community.

As the overheads of running the Hall will be modest and the capital for purchase and restoration will be in the form of donations and grants, with no return on capital required, the Trust will be in a position to offer hire charges which are affordable to most local organisations and that operate on tight budgets.

Our three-year plan for income and expenditure indicates that after an initial loss in the start-up year we can make a modest but viable surpluses in years 2, 3 and 4. These numbers are based on charging local market rates for rent, the reduced costs available to charitable organisations and the fact that there will be no return to the donors.”

It is accepted by WCT that the building is in need of some restoration. A survey undertaken in 2008 on behalf of Wivenhoe Town Council found:

“No structural defects to the property either by subsidence, excessive rot or dampness which would lead us to advise you not to proceed with your purchase.”

Two quotes for ths restoration work have been received by local builders. The funding proposals have been put in place on the basis of these quotes. The Trust is committed to hiring local workmen to complete the project.

All of this planning however is purely speculative. The key date is 15th March, when it is expected that the planning application to demolish the building will be considered by Colchester Borough Council. The consultation feedback on this second application has once again received a mixture of support and disapproval.

Perhaps the most positive comment to be made about this continuing hyperlocal issue is that the St John’s Ambulance Building is able to generate plenty of passion within the town.

Transparency alert: I personally have no connection with the Wivenhoe Community Trust. I objected to the original planning application on the grounds of design. I haven’t commented on the second application, due to all round disillusionment to be honest. Brian Sinclair is a Wivenhoe Town Councillor. Tim Sherwen lives in the close proximity to the St John’s Ambulance Building.