All Saints development project
| Published: 16th July 2007 11:35 |
The All Saints Centre is aiming to create a new village square surrounded by community buildings at the heart of Kings Heath.
Backers of the £4.5m project say it will reverse any perceived decline of the High Street and transform the area. It will provide much needed safe, accessible and attractive public amenities for the benefit of the whole community, they say.
The new centre will:
- provide a new home for a local doctor's surgery, improving patient facilities and extending health care services
- be open every day for young people for support, advice, positive activity and informal education
- provide secure and welcoming day care for 24 elderly people
- encourage creative working between the medical centre; children's, young people's and elderly groups; and the arts and education programme
- offer much needed quality accommodation for community groups in an accessible location at an affordable price
- include a community café for the benefit of centre users, residents and people working in and visiting Kings Heath
- include a new public square for relaxation, recreation and a farmer's market in the heart of a busy community
- include the re-ordered All Saints church for worship, community arts and education, and the accommodation of a local history archive.
The project is well supported by community groups, residents, businesses, schools, city councillors, the All Saints congregation and local MPs.
Building work for phase one, the medical centre and main entrance area, is now taking shape and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Phase two will include a new community hall, meeting room and youth project space. That will cost £2.1m and over half the money has now been raised and a bid for Lottery funds will help close the gap if that is successful.
