A FOCAL point for organisations, groups and residents is coming to Bushey after permission for a community centre was granted.

Hertsmere Borough Council's Bushey and Aldenham planning sub-committee considered the application for the centre, next to Bushey Golf and Country Club, Bushey High Street, in July.

But because it involved building on the Green Belt, the application had to be referred to John Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, before permission could be granted.

On Tuesday, August 18, the council's planning department was informed the application will not be "called in" for a public inquiry and building work could commence.

The new centre, funded by the council, will cost more than £1 million and will include a 186-seat auditorium, three meeting rooms, a coffee area, toilets and a 42-parking space extension to the Golf and Country Club, with four spaces for disabled drivers.

It is hoped building work will start in April or May 1999.

Committee chairman, Councillor Miki Colne, said: "This is splendid news. At last Bushey is going to have a much-needed community centre of its own.

"The residents of Bushey have waited so long for this, they really deserve it.

"Several years of research has gone into this project to see if it is needed in the area and the general feeling from groups is it is required because, at present, there are inadequate facilities."

Mrs Colne said centres used at the moment would continue to be available because there were many different groups around the area who found it difficult to meet because of a lack of venues.

Most existing meeting places are not designed to accommodate disabled people.

Mrs Colne said: "One thing the new centre has over existing halls is it will be flexible to people's needs. The fact there is a coffee shop there makes it an ideal meeting place.

"I am very excited about the project and look forward to seeing the finished product."

At present, community groups use a variety of facilities spread throughout Bushey, such as church halls and schools, so to ascertain the level of demand for a centre, Bushey Forum was approached by the council to carry out research.

Forum secretary, Mr Peter Wyatt, said: "All the organisations listed in Bushey were made aware of the proposed new community centre.

"Questions were asked as to whether they would use it or not and what they would be prepared to pay.

"Out of the survey of 183 groups, 40 indicated they would be willing to use a new hall.

"However, the forum has taken the view that young and old will not mix well in the hall, so we have every intention of keeping the youth and community centre in Falconer Road going."

Manager of the golf club, Mr Brian Worthington, has been one of the disciples pressing the system to get the community base for Bushey.

He said: "It is extremely good news and it has always been the aim to get the centre for the community of Bushey."

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