Hut history

The Village Hut has always been a central part of the village community from the 1920s when men of the village built it, primarily as a working man’s club. It has developed over the years into a hub for an enormous range of activities. It has allowed many different members of the village to meet, get to know each other and become involved in the community. Its redevelopment in its current location has involved a great deal of work and consultation with the villagers. Our goal has always been to have an amenity that works for the largest number of people and give everyone a chance to have their say. The following is a timeline of consultation events outlining the community’s involvement:

2013 – In October, The Hut was the subject of a Building Survey by Aston Building Surveyors, and it was declared economically unviable.

2014 – “Have Your Say Event” on 10th May. The Committee sent leaflets to every house in the village inviting people to attend a meeting in the Hut to discuss the future of the building. Approximately 30 people attended, and there was a general discussion about what people wanted. After the meeting, the Committee further leafleted everyone in the village, informing them what had happened and how those unable to attend could access further information and ask questions.

From September onwards, there were ongoing discussions with Thames Water regarding a site at the bottom of Marsh Road. These discussions came to nothing, and we wasted many months waiting for a response. Eventually, when they came back four years later, we had moved on.

2015 – October – the Hut Committee commissioned a feasibility study to examine three options that had arisen from the “Have Your Say Event”. The general view was that the village needed a modern building a bit larger than the existing Hut but which met today’s environmental and building standards. The options were:

1. Refurbish the existing building
2. Build a new Village Hall on the current site
3. Build on a different location, possibly the Millennium Field

Architects – Hayward Smart were commissioned.

2016 – a questionnaire went out to every adult in the village over 18 and was discussed at a meeting.

There then followed two Open Days in the Hut:

Villagers viewed the plans and suggestions at the previous consultation that were used as the basis of the brief to the architects.

2019 – 9th January. A meeting took place to look at the design and fundraising ideas and report to the village all ongoing enquiries. The Committee leafleted everyone in the village to attend.

28th January Rosemary (the chair) updated everyone present and stated that all options had been explored.

5th March – Open Meeting 7.30 pm in the Hut. There was an excellent turnout. Over 45 people attended, with some required to stand. Rosemary (the chair) explained we were unable to find an alternative venue, and Richard Blandy outlined the proposals for the new hall in its current site. There was a very positive response from the audience, and people who had previously expressed reservations were keen for the project to go ahead.

April – Rectory were again in touch. They were preparing their third appeal to the Secretary of State. They said they would still provide the land and infrastructure for a new Hall on the Ickford Road site, but would not build the hall itself (as it had amended its plan to include social housing instead). Given the long history of dead ends, we were not hopeful. Their application was dismissed at a final appeal. The chance for a new Hall to be built at no cost to the village was now permanently shelved.

There was a lot of design development on the Hut throughout the year, which was time-consuming, particularly as our architect had his practice to run (Stiff and Trevillion Architects). It was essential that everyone was happy so that the planning process should not be delayed when we got to that stage. Particular attention was paid to talking to the neighbours of the hall who could be most affected.

March 2020 – Lockdown!

2021 – The project was revitalised, and in February 2021, we started having Zoom meetings. At this meeting, Rosemary stepped down as The Chair, and we needed to look for another secretary. New members volunteered, and our meetings continued. Our architect, Richard Blandy, adapted the building due to consultation with the neighbours on all sides to ensure that everyone was happy. He also constructed two 3D models to show what the new hall would look like. He then held consultations at his house with neighbours to ensure they were happy with the project.

The Committee also liaised with the Shabbington Nature Network, the Millennium Field committee and The Parish Council before submitting planning permission in August. All planning documents are available on the Aylesbury Vale Planning Portal.

2023 – After a lot of work from Richard Blandy planning permission was granted in September, now the hard work for all the village starts as we now have to raise the money to build it, leading this on the committee is Jill Hughes.