Christchurch in Higher Bebington asks residents for £100,000 towards £1.1m community centre

Apr 15 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

A CHURCH is writing to every home in Higher Bebington to ask the community to contribute £100,000 towards a new community centre.

Christ Church has been awarded £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund towards the £1.1m project.

Around £300,000 will be provided by members of Christ Church, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

The church is applying for other grants but says the scheme needs at least £100,000 from residents. The new centre would replace the existing church hall on Kings Road, which was built in 1952.

Vicar of Christ Church, Canon Anne Samuels, said: “It’s served several generations but has long needed replacing.

“Our plan is to start construction in January 2010 but we have to have our money in place before the Big Lottery will give the final go-ahead. It’s very exciting to be able to look forward to delivering a real community asset.”

The church’s plans originally caused much controversy as it had hoped to raise funds for the centre through selling off land to be developed into 42 flats.

But after strong opposition from nearby residents, the plans were rejected by Wirral Council’s planning committee in 2007 and shelved by the church.

The church says the new building would be used by existing community groups and offer a range of new projects.

Canon Samuels said: “We hope people of all ages with differing interests and needs can come together.

“The centre will provide desperately needed facilities for everyone who currently uses the existing hall such as baby groups, mums and tots and Brownies and Guides.

“We are also planning new projects including coffee mornings, a listening service, bereavement support and much more.”

The plans will be on display in the existing hall on Sunday, April 26 between 2.30 and 4.30pm.