This page will be used to keep people abreast of what is happening to The Garages, Millhayes, previously the old factory canteen building and the old milk factory garages.
It was acquired by the Parish Council from Bloors when they developed the old factory site, creating the housing estate we call Lower Millhayes.
The PC's purpose in acquiring it was to create better youth facilities in the village as several Surveys have all shown the need for more and better youth facilities.
Our application to the Big Lottery Fund in 2007 for around £250,000 to develop the Hall was ultimately unsuccessful, though we were congratulated on the calibre of our proposal, and got quite close.
At a meeting in January 2008 it was decided to pursue the idea of swapping Millhayes Hall with the Garages, which are privately owned and proposed to be developed by BHLC as a Healthy Living Centre. The necessary Planning Permissions for change of use are being sought (3/5/08). If these are successful, there will be a legal phase, hopefully brief, then work can commence. The advantage of this is the Garages can be developed in phases and to a more robust standard.
At the April 2009 Parish Council meeting, Ray Radford announced that the bid by BHLC for funding from Devon County Council had been successful, and a cheque for £255,000 was presented. See the News item under BHLC.
The old canteen and the garages will be developed by seperate teams, using as much volunteer labour and skills as we can get. So, if you can help; phone Heather Stallard on 680237 or Paul Steed on 680787