The first application was from Diamond Way Buddhism, who plan to restore the historic building and use it as a Buddhist community centre with accommodation, a cafe and a contemplation garden.
The second application was from Bellway Homes, who plan to build a residential building of 75 homes on the car park to the rear of the Beaufoy Institute site.
The approval of the schemes completes a agreement made with the Council which releases a disused site for development, provides £7.5 million to the Council to invest in vital capital works (schools, housing and pavements), provides £1.5 million to Beaufoy Trust so it can fund work to help young people get into work, and provides 75 much needed homes, 40% of which will be affordable.
Local councillors have also negotiated a £200 000 'community pot' for our area, funded by this sale and development. We'll be consulting with residents over the coming weeks to decide how the money should be spent for maximum benefit.
Councillor Stephen Morgan spoke in favour of the applications at the planning meeting, and all three ward councillors supported the project as the best deal possible for our area. The site has sat empty for years, and we are delighted that the Beaufoy is finally going to be brought back into use.
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