Proposals for the new community centre

On July 12, the developer, now called the Jericho Wharf Regeneration Company, presented proposals for the Jericho Wharf site. This was a pre-planning community consultation.

The plans are still under discussion, notably with the Jericho Wharf Trust, the organization formed to represent local interests. The JWT has four members: the Jericho Community Association, St Barnabas Church, Jericho Community Boatyard and the Jericho Living Heritage Trust. The developer’s current proposals have now been published on the JWT website.

The best solution would be to build all the community facilities at the same time—the community centre and the boatyard. But there is also the potential to complete construction in two phases as funds become available. For the new community centre, Phase 1 would include:

On the ground floor:

• A community cafe
• The community centre office
• Toilets

On the first floor:

• A sports hall with changing facilities
• An extension to the cafe, with exhibition space
• A dance hall for ballet and other classes
• Two small offices that could be used for low-cost counselling services
• A meeting/activity room

The Jericho Community Association estimates that this basic centre could run at roughly break even. However, it would not be on a firm footing in the longer term as it would not generate enough revenue for repairs and investment. Sustainability would be achieved by completion of Phase 2 which would also add other important community facilities and ensure Jericho Wharf is a vibrant centre of activity for many years to come.

On the ground floor

• A pre-school with an outdoor play space

On the first floor

• Three offices to provide rental income
• A larger multipurpose room for music, drama and other activities

On the second floor

• An office hub to provide flexible spaces and services for local residents and businesses

One important concern for the JCA is the dividing line between phases 1 and 2. There would be more flexibility on the ground floor, offering a better cafe space, if the line could be moved more to the east. Another issue that the JWT is also concerned about is the size of the square which has been encroached on by housing. This reduces the capacity to run events there and also cuts off the view from the canal of the grade-1-listed church building.

The next stage for the developer would be to take these and other concerns into account and make a formal planning application to the City Council.

To see a video flythrough (starting inside the sports hall), you can click HERE,