Proposals for the next steps to bring Victoria Hall, Radstock into use have been approved at a meeting by the Council Cabinet.
Following consultation with the Radstock community, the Council will start more detailed work on developing a scheme for the relocation of the library, creation of community facilities with meeting room and exhibition space, and new lift to improve access.
Councillor David Bellotti (Lib-Dem, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Community Resources, said, “Building on the consultation that Bath & North East Somerset Council conducted in July, we have taken local people’s comments into account and will now develop these emerging proposals to bring Victoria Hall into use as part of our wider plans to improve the community.”
In order to fund the scheme, the Cabinet approved using £160,000 from the Radstock Regeneration Budget plus an additional net £495,000. This is to be funded in the short term by a maximum a maximum of £715,000 from the Council’s capital contingency fund and offset as a result of receipts from the existing library site and the caretaker cottage.
The option of retaining snooker was explored. However, it would prove difficult to accommodate the space for these facilities without compromising other aspects of the emerging scheme that local people considered a priority.
The Council will be working closely with the Town Council and local residents to develop the emerging scheme and preparations will begin so that works on the building can begin as soon as possible once a scheme has been agreed.
