Community Centre

The Parish Council has been working in partnership with Chinley, Buxworth & Brownside Community Association, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1165104), to rebuild the community centre off Lower Lane, Chinley for more than ten years.

The need for a new community centre was first identified in the Parish Plan of 2005. In 2007, after the Community Association had been formed, they took over management of the old community centre from Derbyshire County Council.

In 2016, the former building was asset transferred to the parish council from Derbyshire County Council to save it from demolition and the Community Association continued to manage the building. It was already in a poor condition back then and way beyond its life expectancy. However, securing funding, finalising the project scope and getting planning permission took time and since the building was still functional it continued to serve its purpose for a further 8 years.

Fortunately in 2023, just as the building was reaching the end of its usable life, the parish council and Community Association had secured sufficient funding to rebuild it. Contractors were appointed and the former community centre was demolished in June 2024. Construction is well underway and we are working towards the grand opening of the new community centre towards the end of February 2025.

The new building includes a more spacious main hall, meeting room, additional social and library space, a centrally located kitchen as well as changing rooms, showers and toilets. There is an accessible WC and shower room that the Community Association are currently seeking further funding for to upgrade to a Changing Places facility. The parish council office will also be based in the new building once it has opened. There is also a terrace to the rear with views over Eccles Pike. We can't wait to show you around!

The parish council will own the new building and have leased it to the Community Association who will be responsible for managing the new facility once it has opened. For more information about the Community Association or hiring the community centre, please visit www.chinleyca.org.uk.

Construction of the new community centre in Chinley continues at pace. Externally the building is up with the roof complete and windows and doors in. External rendering is ongoing and landscaping works to the car park has commenced.

Internally, all walls and doors are in. The kitchen has been installed and 2nd fix electrical and mechanical works are ongoing.

There has been significant community support for the project which was evident in the Community Association's crowdfunder campaign that ran in summer 2023. Including match funding from Sport England and direct donations to the Community Association, over £50,000 was raised as a result of this campaign alone from over 500 supporters! Both the parish council and Community Association are grateful for the support from our community and local businesses.

The Parish Council and Community Association are also grateful for the support from the following grant funding bodies, without whose support this project would not be possible:

• National Lottery Community Fund
• UK Government's Community Ownership Fund
• Derbyshire County Council
• Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund
• High Peak Borough Council
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund
• Barnabas Trust
• Sport England

The Community Association continue to fundraise to improve the facilities available even further. If you are able to offer any help or financial assistance, please contact them directly on fundraiser@chinleyca.org.uk.

To keep up to date on our progress please follow the community Facebook page – search for Chinley, Buxworth & Brownside Community Association.