Views Sought on Use for Empty School Building

Published on: 6 Jul, 2012
Updated on: 6 Jul, 2012

Residents in Park Barn and Westborough are being asked to voice their opinions over the future use of the building that was formerly Pond Meadow School.

The buildings in Park Barn that were formerly Pond Meadow School.

Since the special needs school moved to new premises in Larch Avenue, Guildford, in 2008, the site that it once occupied in the centre of Park Park, off Pond Meadow, has been boarded up.

Frustrated councillors and members of the Park Barn & Westborough Community Association are now keen to see the building and its grounds put to good use – for the whole community.

In the associations’s latest edition of its newsletter Grassroots, it states: “Your community association has been asked to to support a suggestion by its chairman, Wayne McShane, county councillor Fiona White, and borough councillor Julia McShane, to consult you about the future use of the site.

“Would you like to see a community use for the buildings such as a health centre, community gym, community cafe, youth centre and training rooms for local people to learn new skills? The site is large enough to accommodate these things and could become a community hub for local people to meet for coffee, to socilise, develop new skills, get fit, etc. This kind of community use could also provide employment and volunteering opportunities for local people.”

They add that they also known that Guildford Borough Council “are also interested in possibly using the land for new housing”.

Anyone with comments is asked to email the association to: pondmeadowsite.yourchoice@virginmedia.com

Also, if you really would like to help make a community hub at Pond Meadow a reality, the community association would love to hear from you. It is currently looking to boost members on its management group. Send an email to parkbarnwestborough.communityassociation@virginmedia.com

Wayne and Julia McShane, who are the contact team for the Grassroots newsletter, can be contacted on 01483 837736.

Responses to Views Sought on Use for Empty School Building

Dennis Paul

July 7, 2012 at 10:25 pm

Build some decent housing for local folk and take pressure off the surrounding green belt.
brian holt

July 11, 2012 at 6:10 pm

There is a urgent need for a community centre for all age groups in this area.
This could include a doctors’ surgery, dentist, which is urgently needed.
Also, a learning centre for all ages, a library, community centre for groups and clubs and organisations, somewhere for people to meet with facilities for disable and wheelchair users, a community information centre, a community swop shop, a games room, plus somewhere for internet training to cover all age groups.This is what is needed in Park Barn.