1. My understanding of the original agreement was that the community centre would be built in the red brick building next to bohunt school. This building ( originally used by the military ) was used by Bohunt School in its first year. I believe Crest own the building and are responsible for converting it into the community centre. From memory there is a cost cap agreed with crest as the total amount they would contribute - is this correct and if so what is it?
The financial contribution from the developer towards the construction and delivery of the Community Building is limited to a Cost Cap which is specified in the section 106 agreement as £2,635,380.00 or where a new library is not to be included in the community centre building the sum of £2,176,840.00. The Cost Cap is index-linked from the date of the Section 106 agreement and as at September 2025 was calculated at £4,049,496.

2. I have been told by two parish councillors in the last week that officers have contacted them over the centre. They appeared to be under the impression that the current building is now in such a poor state that it is more cost efficient to knock it down and start again. They told me WBC is asking local parish councils across the south of the borough to contribute to the cost. Figures of £4 million for a low grade community centre and £6.5 million for one to match the original specification were quoted. I realise I have heard all of this second hand and simply wanted to understand the facts.
Is there a cost coming to WBC and if so how much? Crest are responsible for delaying the development of this area so why are they not covering any additional cost?
WBC officers and Crest have agreed in principle that WBC will now lead the design, planning, and construction of the centre, with Crest transferring the freehold of the site and capital contribution directly to the Council. There will be no cost to WBC. The community centre will be built to the budget available which, at this point in time, is the value of the cost cap. If any additional funding is identified, e.g. from parish councils, this will increase the available budget for the project.
The principles of this change in approach and agreement with Crest will be the subject of an Executive paper and decision on 20th November 2025. Papers for this meeting will be published on 12th November.

3. What realistic timelines are we looking at for this scheme now?
If the new approach is agreed by the Executive, the proposed programme of planning and construction which would see the new centre be operational by the end of 2027/start of 2028.

4. Has WBC had any thoughts about who is going to run this centre when complete and how this will all work? I am sure there will be annual maintenance costs and wanted some understanding over who would bear these?
It is planned that a third-party operator will operate the new Community Centre, including financing operational costs, without any ongoing cost to the Council. It is proposed, subject to Executive approval, to start the process to identify a preferred operator as soon as possible.

5. What were the 2022 projected costs of the aborfield community centre and how were they split between wbc and the developer
As set out above the financial contribution from the developer towards the construction and delivery of the Community Building is limited to a Cost Cap which is specified in the section 106 agreement as £2,635,380.00 or where a new library is not to be included in the community centre building the sum of £2,176,840.00. The Cost Cap is index-linked from the date of the Section 106 agreement and as at September 2025 was calculated at £4,049,496.
In 2022 there were no costs attributed to WBC.

6. What are the expected 2025 costs of the centre and how are they split between wbc and the developer
As set out above, WBC officers and Crest have agreed in principle that WBC will now lead the design, planning, and construction of the centre, with Crest transferring the freehold of the site and capital contribution directly to the Council. There will be no cost to WBC. The community centre will be built to the budget available which, at this point in time, is the value of the cost cap. If any additional funding is identified, e.g. from parish councils, this will increase the available budget for the project.