15/07/2025
Plans to build a community hall on Shaftesbury’s eastern edge have moved a step forward, as councillors and residents on the Mampitts Advisory Committee approved a new internal layout for the proposed building. But the July meeting also revealed a £420,000 funding gap and a warning that ongoing road adoption issues could delay construction.
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The revised scheme features a central staircase, a single entrance canopy, and a flexible community space downstairs, with consulting rooms and a reception area upstairs. The café will sit at the eastern end, with triple-aspect doors opening to the outside, designed to attract both passers-by and the wider community.
Despite backing the changes, committee members heard that the total projected cost has now risen to £1.4 million—well above the £876,000 of Section 106 developer money secured from Dorset Council.
Peter Yeo, chair of the rival Mampitts Community Land Trust, expressed his frustration: ‘We now discover they’re £500,000 short. (Peter's figure) The Town Council scheme will cost £1.4 million, whereas our proposal was fully costed at £935,000.’
But committee chair Councillor Greg Williams remained optimistic. ‘There is a gap, but we have a plan to cover it. We’ll apply to the National Lottery and other funding bodies. We’re also talking with service providers and potential café operators about contributions,’ he said.
One name mentioned repeatedly was Employ My Ability, who run the café at Thorngrove Garden Centre. But Greg insisted no decisions had been made and the café contract, like the builder and architect roles, would go to open tender.
The committee dropped original plans for rentable office space, instead refocusing on services for families. Consulting rooms upstairs could be used by NHS or Dorset Council teams, though these partners have yet to commit. Greg admitted, ‘We’re still getting a handle on what services they want to provide.’
Some, like Councillor Piers Brown, questioned the café’s viability, but the architect suggested it could generate income from event catering in the adjacent hall.
Deputy Chair Ann Glennon acknowledged that the new hall uses may seem less like a village hall but defended its flexibility. ‘It’s still a community hall—there’s space for wakes, yoga, even a bouncy castle. The rooms upstairs are soundproofed, but they’re not locked into NHS use.’
However, Ann and Paul Glennon both raised concerns that the adoption of local roads could throw a spanner in the works. Dorset Council and Persimmon are still progressing plans for the authority to take over maintenance of Maple Road and surrounding pavements. Highways officers have warned that construction traffic could damage surfaces and delay this process and Paul said they didn't want building until the roads are adopted,
Greg remained upbeat: ‘We’re still in research and discovery mode. If Dorset needs schedule changes, we’ll work with them to sort out an updated timeline.’
The new layout now heads to full council for ratification.
