Plans for new Bromham community hub after social centre fire

A former social centre that was destroyed by fire could be replaced by a new community hub.

Plans have been submitted to Wiltshire Council by developers proposing to build on the site of the former Bromham Social Centre, near Devizes.

They state that a "more efficient use of space" should allow the new building to fulfil many of the same functions, including weddings.

The council is expected to make a decision on the plans by 15 April.

The application notes that the social centre was a "well-loved" part of the local community and has been "sorely missed" by local residents since the fire in June 2021.

Designed by Oxford Architects and Bromham Parish Council, the new hub would be smaller than its predecessor, standing at a footprint of 496m2, rather than the old building's footprint of approximately 800m2, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

The application adds: "The absence of the main hall, that hosted many events such as weddings and birthday parties, has been especially noticed with nowhere else in the local area providing a venue of this size."

The new building would be positioned to maximise views across the fields to the south and west and would have solar PV panels on the south-west facing roofs.

The application also contains outline plans for potential future projects, including a village shop and new sports pavilion.

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