Pride in Place Community Grant Case Studies
Stoke Holy Cross feasibility study
Within the first round of applications to the Pride in Place Community Grant, a request was received from South Norfolk Council with the support of Stoke Holy Cross Parish Council. A feasibility study was required to understand the demand and need, as well as the financial viability and sustainability, for a new community facility within Stoke Holy Cross.
The feasibility study project was given the go ahead following the board’s independent assessment and review of the submitted application.
After relevant procurement processes were undertaken, FMG Consulting Ltd was appointed to carry out the feasibility study. The consultants were tasked with interacting with key stakeholders and the wider community, reviewing various strategies and policies to demonstrate the project’s strategic alignment and conducting a demographic analysis. Once this was completed, FMG assessed the deliverability and affordability of the proposed scheme.
Three months later, the Parish Council was presented with a full report and a meeting was held to discuss the findings of the study. The study evidenced the demand for the proposed new pavilion, which includes greater capacity and improved facilities for the pre-school, as well as significantly enhanced recreational space for the local community. The new pavilion will be both environmentally and operationally sustainable, additionally enabling the pre-school and community activities to run simultaneously. Financial projections by FMG Consulting demonstrate that the building is likely to start making a small profit withing the first few years. The feasibility study also identified potential funding opportunities to secure the existing funding gap for the project.
The Stoke Holy Cross New Pavilion Working Group, in conjunction with South Norfolk Council officers, have worked collaboratively to apply to the South Norfolk Council Co-Investment Grant Fund, requesting match funding to complete the project’s funding package. On 12th June, South Norfolk Cabinet approved a grant of £465,543 enabling the Parish Council to start construction of their new pavilion.