Your questions answered

Q. Will all of the facilities that are currently available in The Greig Hall be available in this new centre?

A. Yes. The New Greig will incoporporate all of the facilities currently housed in The Greig Hall and more. The New Greig will make better use of space, so that rooms can double up and be used for multiple purposes. The new facilities will have far greater appeal than the existing Hall, meaning that the Trust can generate additional income from bookings and areas such as the new cafe bar. All of the existing groups who use The Greig Hall can be accomodated in the new facilities, which have been designed around their needs.

Q. I like things as they are. Are these plans really necessary?

A. Unfortunately, yes. Due to dwlindling funds, the current centre will have to cease operating in the near future if things don't change. There are no grants or loans available to improve the existing Hall building. In fact, studies and surveys recently undertaken have shown just how bad things are. These plans are necessary to ensure the long-term future of The Greig for Alcester to enjoy, but they will also provide an opportunity to bring The Greig up-to-date.

Q. Up to date? What do you mean?

A. The Greig Hall was built in 1958, over sixty years ago. It has served the town of Alcester extremely well over that period, but is now in need of updating. The repairs that are required on a yearly basis drain funds that could otherwise be spent on facilities at the centre. The Hall generates huge gas and electricity bills that are not covered by room hire charges. We need facilities that are attractive to use, efficient to operate and are sustainable for the future.

Q. So if nothing is done, The Greig would have to shut?

A. Everything would be done to prevent this from happening. The Trustees want to ensure that The Greig is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy, just as previous ones have. However, without a fundamental restructuring, it is impossible for The Greig to go on providing the facilities it does.

Q. I currently use the Greig. Will the price I pay rise if I move into the new centre?

A. No. Any groups that currently use the Greig Hall will continue to pay the same fee if the new facilities are created.

Q. What about the housing? Is this really necessary?

A. Yes. In order to secure the funding to develop the new centre, some housing is necessary. This will then fund the redevelopment of the centre. The Trustees have looked at all other options, but this proposal is considered the best to secure the provision of facilities for the future.

Q. I am concerned about the parking situation. Will there be enough spaces under the new proposals?

A. The development team has carried out parking surveys and, with some amendments to existing timetabling, we are confident that parking can be accomodated within the new car park and any overspill in the early evening period could be accomodated in neighbouring facilities, as is already the case for our occasional large events. Although the car park often looks busy at the moment, many of the vehicles that use it are construction workers working on the school opposite. The Trustees have allowed them to park there for the time being.

Q. I have heard that the Alcester Town Council is withdrawing its grant. Is this the case?

A. No, not at the moment. It is true that Alcester Town Council did award The Greig a grant of £150,000 to help develop The Greig Lifestyles building. At a recent meeting, they voted to remind the trustees of this arrangement, though they have not yet made a decision on whether to ask for it back.

Q. If planning permission is granted, how long would it take for the new centre to be created?

A. We anticipate it would take 7-8 months to create the new facilities. During this period, both The Greig Hall and Lifestyle facilities will remain available for use.

Q. During the construction period, will my services be disrupted?

A. As mentioned above, both The Greig Hall and Lifestyle facilities will remain available for use. We will be looking to appoint a contractor very experienced in working on 'live' sites to ensure that disruption is minimised as much as possible, and to ensure that health and safety issues are paramount.

Q. I have a question about the development that is not on here. Where can I get help?

A. You can use this form to contact us with a comment or query on the application. Additionally, you can contact our freephone project information line on 0800 298 7040 and ask to speak to a member of the team.