New look for Saxon Hall in Raunds

Saxon Hall in Raunds is set to get a new look.

Raunds Town Council has submitted a planning application to East Northamptonshire Councilfor improvements to Saxon Hall.

Planned works include demolition of the existing porch and creation of a new, light welcoming entrance area.

The entrance will incorporate a new reception office.

Throughout the building, facilities will be updated to ensure they meet the needs of all customers with both kitchens being refurbished.

One kitchen will be a commercial kitchen ensuring that the hall can cater for weddings, conferences and larger parties.

The second community kitchen will enable regular hirers to have access to improved kitchen facilities, including cooking and dishwashing facilities.

The three main halls will benefit from redecoration, new lighting and air conditioning.

Throughout the building additional storage areas will be incorporated and all areas including the coffee bar and toilets will be refurbished and redecorated.

Cllr Lee Wilkes, deputy mayor of Raunds, said: "We are really pleased that these works are taking place.

"We believe the improvements will be of great benefit to the town.

"This is a fantastic step forward, and we can't wait for the works to take place so that residents and all our customers can enjoy the new facilities."

The works are being funded through section 106 contributions, which is money that local housebuilders must pay to improve community facilities in the area.

The 106 contributions funding these improvements are laid out in legally binding agreements dating back to 2012.

This is when planning permission was first given for housing at Border Park, Brick Kiln Road and Darcie Park on Chelveston Road, and some other smaller developments.

Although the agreements were put in place in 2012, the money doesn't become payable until a certain number of houses have been built and occupied.

Cllr Richard Levell, mayor of Raunds, said: "The council has carefully monitored these S106 agreements to ensure that all money due to be paid for improvements to Saxon Hall is received by the town council.

"We must also ensure that the money is spent exactly in line with the agreements, or the developers can ask for the funding to be returned."

The town council plans to carry out the majority of the work during August when many of the regular hirers take a summer recess.

A council spokesman said: "We will try to keep any disruption as minimal as possible, but we will make sure all our regular hirers are kept up to date with our planned works well in advance."

As well as internal building works the grounds around Saxon Hall will also be improved, with enhanced lighting, signage, new paths and better links to the town centre.