The top-class £3.5 million complex was handed over to the new parish council by developer Robert Hitchins Ltd which led and funded the project, with a contribution from Redrow South West.
Cutting the ribbon was special guest Lewis Ludlow, the captain of Gloucester Rugby, with a little help from the youngest visitor to the celebration, three-year-old Freddie Yule who turned up with his grandparents Steve and Lisa Whitlock who live on the new housing estate.
Robert Hitchins provided the centre as part of its S106 planning obligations in respect of its major development project at Great Oldbury near Stonehouse.
It has a meeting room, office, sports hall, changing facilities, storage rooms, kitchen, parking and a fully-equipped children’s playground. The parish council also has a 25-year lease on the neighbouring sports pitches.
“This is a fantastic facility and we’re very proud to have been involved from the beginning,” said Gordon Jeynes, Technical Director at Robert Hitchins. “We have a very good working relationship with the parish and are pleased to help them wherever we can.”
He thanked all the partners who helped bring the centre to fruition: architects Quattro Design, construction company Barnwood, us at Redrow, and the parish council.
For the newly formed Great Oldbury Parish Council, the new centre also provides them with their own home.
Chair Phill Ward couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. “It’s an excellent, modern community facility and we’re very grateful. A lot of other councils would give their right arm for something like this,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to finally be here and to open it with everyone’s support. We’re looking forward to bringing it into use – for parties, meetings, sports, community groups – when booking opens on January 1.”
Joyce Clifford from architects Quattro Design was pleased with the final product. “It’s been great to be involved. I’ve never seen a community come on board with such enthusiasm before. We’ve loved being part of it,” she said.
Sian Smith, Sales Director at Redrow South West, said: “We’re thrilled to have supported the new commnuity centre with £1million investment as part of our S106 contributions to the local area. Here at Redrow, we aim to create and support thriving communities at all of our developments and in the wider communities, and we hope this wonderful new community centre will do just that.”
Stuart Pearce, Joint Managing Director of Barnwood Limited's Construction Division, added: “As a local contractor, it was a real pleasure to be involved with a great team providing such a fantastic facility for the local community.”
The centre’s completion marks the near-culmination of Robert Hitchins’ Great Oldbury mixed-use development, which includes 1,350 homes, a local centre, a new school and employment area just off the A419 and J13 of the M5 near Stroud.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 and, since then, most of the housing has been built and Great Oldbury Primary Academy, also provided by Robert Hitchins, opened in 2021.
Irene Simms is one resident who loves the new development and has offered to volunteer at the community centre. She moved to Great Oldbury to be nearer her family two years ago. “I love it here. It’s quiet, friendly and very accessible. I couldn’t wish to be anywhere better,” she said.
Robert Hitchins, based at Boddington, Gloucestershire, is one of the leading property developers and investors in the South West and South Wales. It deals with the full development process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.
We are currently building three, four and five-bedroom homes at The Alders at Great Oldbury and just a four homes remain at our popular Great Oldbury development, both developments are part of the thriving new community in Stonehouse.
