Works begins on new community centre in Oxford

Plans to replace the Bullingdon Community Centre at Peat Moors in Headington have begun, with the existing community centre being broken down to make space for a new £1.5m development.

The existing Bullingdon Community Centre has been deteriorating for several years, with plans to replace it paused during the pandemic, but now work will begin to remove asbestos from the site, allowing bulldozers to come in from early October.

The new centre will be built quickly using prefabricated construction, so that community activities can resume as soon as possible, with the Council providing an alternative space for the tenant groups that have a permanent base at the centre.

The new centre will provide two community halls, kitchen, toilets, an entrance space, meeting rooms and multi-use spaces that could be used for community meetings or as changing rooms.

Cllr Shaista Aziz, cabinet member for inclusive communities, said: ‘Community centres should be at the heart of thriving and resilient communities – as spaces where people can come together. I’m really excited by the opportunities a new, purpose-built centre offers the community. We’ve been investing in our community centres over recent years and I want to see that continuing as we build back from the pandemic.

‘The Bullingdon community centre provides opportunities for learning, creativity and play and giving people a safe, affordable place to socialise, collaborate and develop the potential in their local area.’

Richard Bryant from the Bullingdon Community Association added: ‘We are delighted that the work has started. Thank you to the community groups, residents and local councillors who supported the campaign to redevelop the centre. Lye Valley and Woodfarm have relatively few community meeting places and the new community centre will provide improved facilities and will be a springboard for the development of more services and activities.’

Photo by Laurie Byrne