Information on Loughborough

Gorse Covert Grant

Posted on 15/04/2008
P. Klein

Charnwood Borough Council has secured an ‘in principle’ grant of £773,500 from the Big Lottery Fund to refurbish the Gorse Covert Community Centre in Maxwell Drive, Loughborough.

The local Community Association provides both educational and recreational activities for the people of Gorse Covert, Thorpe Acre and Dishley.

While the centre has provided reasonably accommodation over the past 25 years, it currently performs very poorly in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability.

The Council, in partnership with Gorse Covert Community Association and local people, are working on plans to transform the 27 year old building. These plans will be presented to the Big Lottery Fund for a final assessment.

The refurbishment will give better access for people with disabilities as well as the community as a whole. It is proposed to use the funds to provide more space by creating an extra floor in the roof area. This will allow more groups to have access and make better use of the building.

The conversion of a large roof-space area into useable community space and the installation of a new renewable energy and rainwater harvesting system will also be possible, thanks to the new grant.

Cllr. John Bush of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “We are delighted. The refurbishment will provide long term benefits for the community.”

Sanjay Dighe, the England Country Chair for the Big Lottery Fund, added: “The projects that have been successful in this very competitive assessment process have demonstrated strong partnership working between local authorities and third sector organisations. These assets will benefit the communities they serve and I look forward to visiting some of them in the future.”

Andy Reed, Loughborough MP, said:

“The Gorse Covert Community centre provides a valuable space for local people to meet, learn and grow as a community.

I thank the Gorse Covert Community Association and their Chair Annette Bates for having the confidence and ambition to work with the Council to make the bid a success.

This welcome investment from the Government will help ensure that the Gorse Cover Community Centre will continue to serve the people of Loughborough at least for another 25 years, while also making the building better for environment”.