Hall revamp set for 'transformational' step

The renovation of a village hall can move forward, volunteers say, after their campaign reached a "transformational" step.

Grade II listed Yew Tree Hall in Lorton, Cumbria, has been used as a community facility for nearly 120 years after previously being home to a malting barn for brewer Jennings.

Chairman of the Yew Tree Hall management committee, Adam Baker, said planning permission and listed building consent had recently been granted, which would enable work to make the property more accessible by moving the entrance, installing a platform lift and adding disabled toilets on the ground floor.

Costs for those elements are estimated to be in the region of £200,000.

"It's a tremendous achievement, really," Baker said.

"This is something that community's been chasing for a number of years.

"They'll be major changes to a Grade II listed building that's nearly 200 years old, but they're much-needed.

"If you've got mobility needs, you simply cannot get into the building because there are steps up into it.

"Permission is transformational in the sense of what we can now do, but obviously this doesn't come without a large price tag so we've been fundraising."

Baker described the plans as having gone through several revisions "to meet the needs of the people that want it within the village as well as those of the planners and conservation officers".

Further stages are set to include efforts to reveal the building's historic features as well as raise the floor height of the main hall, with the hope work can be completed by 2028 to celebrate what is believed to be its 200th anniversary.

Despite many funding organisations "tightening their purse strings", Baker is confident the project will be able to secure support.

"It's becoming more difficult, but we're in a good position and can show grant funders what we've raised and there are organisations that are quite keen to support schemes where the public are involved.

"We all love the building and feel duty-bound to do it, but it's more than that.

"There's clearly a depth of desire shown by the contributions and donations that people have already given."

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