There were basically two options open:

a. Renovate the existing hall     or    b. Build a new hall on a new site.

Following many discussions the following observations were noted:

Option a.
The Hall would have to close while renovations occurred.
A renovation would not solve the parking problem.
Was the site large enough to meet the needs and requirements of the community.

Option b.
A new hall could be purpose built to suit the needs of the community.
A car park could be incorporated in the plans.
Whilst an ambitious project, funds could be raised via grants and the sale of the existing hall site.
The hall on the existing site could remain open during construction of the new hall.
A new hall adjacent to the school could enhance school / nursery and enable IT facilities.

A questionnaire was circulated to the people living in Kirkbampton Village and the surrounding districts. It was delivered to 249 homes and received the following replies:

Out of 154 replies collected, 134 households indicated they wanted the village to have a hall. Only 34 were satisfied with the existing premises. 82 indicated a preference for a new hall.

Based on these results a decision was made to proceed with Option b and try to obtain funds to construct a new hall.

An exhibition in February 1998 detailing the history of the old hall and the proposed ideas for the building of a new hall was well attended. The public response encouraged the committee to embark on a calendar of fundraising events. The support given enabled us to raise a great deal of money in a relatively short time. Further endorsing the community's backing of the project. To ensure the community was kept up to date with the progress of the project a quarterly newsletter was produced.

The preferred site was adjacent to Kirkbampton School. The owner of the land, Mr. John Graham, a former resident and farmer of Kirkbampton was originally in negotiations with Home Housing Association to develop low cost housing on the land. Had they been able to agree a price and obtain planning permission they were agreeable to donate part of the land for a new hall. Unfortunately they were unable to obtain planning permission as a development of its kind could not be justified.Following the initial disappointment the committee decided on the following objectives.

Negotiate for purchase of enough of the field to build a hall and car parking.
Obtain outline Planning permission
Negotiate purchase price and payment terms.
Select a design for new hall.

Following an extensive selection process Cumbria Building and Design were chosen to present their sketch plans for a new hall. These were displayed at a public meeting and following this a design was agreed on.

Mr. Graham agreed to sell part of the land, outline planning had been granted and a purchase price of £25,000 was agreed subject to funding being in place. Mr. Graham agreed to wait for the completion of the purchase until the project is completed.

This ambitious project was carefully considered, the community was involved in all levels of the planning which was very detailed. The project was entirely dependant upon a major grant award and it was decided to press ahead with a Lottery Grant application. The plans were drawn up and after a lot of decision making the application was submitted.

From the application to the National Lotteries Board a grant of £377,008 was secured to build a new Village Hall.
Following a competitive tender price Northern Developments were chosen to build the hall.
David Gray of Cumbria Build and Design (now Capita DBS) managed the project on our behalf.
The development started on Monday 19th February and was completed on 4th October 2001.