In a move towards gifting the Woodgate sales pavilion to the local community, Abri partner Thakeham has secured planning permission from Mid Sussex District Council.
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the South of England, has sold all but one of its homes at their multiple award-winning development and is in discussions with Slaugham Parish Council to take ownership of the pavilion as a permanent asset. This required a change in planning permission from the original application as a temporary structure.
Woodgate was delivered in partnership with leading housing provider, Abri, and this move will preserve the pavilion’s long-term use for the benefit of local residents, marking a significant step in enhancing the existing community facilities (comprising a community-owned shop, primary school, café and home for St Catherine’s Hospice).
Proposed uses for the pavilion include council public meetings, workshops, small group meetings, co-working spaces, virtual offices, educational sessions, local hub options for teams, dedicated workspaces, cultural events, and wellbeing activities such as yoga or mindfulness classes.
In addition to the Pavilion, the Parish is already home to MacNaughton Hall, Pease Pottage and the Sports Pavilion in Handcross, which serve as larger recreational spaces available for children’s parties, fetes, fairs, and similar events. The pavilion will complement these spaces, providing even more versatile options to better serve the community’s needs.
Thakeham Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Rob Boughton said, “At Thakeham it is our absolute aim to make sure that we deliver a cohesive integrated community and Woodgate has become a template for aspirational delivery going forwards. We were committed to providing facilities, such as the primary school and the community Hub, early in the build. Gifting the pavilion to Slaugham Parish Council, who will act as custodians of the building in perpetuity for the benefit of both Woodgate residents and the wider community, feels like a fitting end to our time on the development.”
Sally Mclean, Clerk to Slaugham Parish Council said: “Slaugham Parish Council is pleased to be working with Thakeham on the transition of the Woodgate Pavilion into a permanent public asset for our community. The Council’s priority is to ensure that the building becomes an inclusive, accessible space that supports residents across Woodgate and the wider Parish.
“By bringing the pavilion into the Council’s ownership, we will act as custodians of the building in perpetuity, safeguarding its long-term use for public meetings, local groups, learning opportunities, and health and wellbeing activities. The pavilion will complement the existing facilities across the parish and broaden the range of spaces available to local residents.”
“This is also an important step in strengthening the connection between Woodgate and the wider parish of Slaugham, with its four distinct villages, and we look forward to developing a space that truly serves the whole community,” she added.
Sam Stone, Director of Land and Planning at Abri, said:
“Woodgate was designed from the beginning as a place where community can thrive, and we’re proud to have worked in partnership with Thakeham to help bring that vision to life. The pavilion’s new permanent status will add yet another valuable space for residents to meet, learn and connect.
“As a long term partner at Woodgate, we remain committed to supporting high quality, sustainable neighbourhoods, and we’re delighted to see this next chapter in the development’s community facilities take shape.”
The sales pavilion is currently being decommissioned and emptied of all furniture ready for the transition to its new life. Minor internal works will then need to be carried out to ensure accessibility. Further information will follow as the project progresses.