PLANS to build a new community hub in Hagley have been boosted thanks to £10,000 raised from the village’s successful Hagfest.

Preliminary designs for the new centre, which is due to house Hagley Parish Council, library services, West Mercia Police and community groups, have now been drawn up.

Parish councillors and members of the existing community centre have also formed a team to be responsible for the new building.

Consisting of options for a two-storey build which will be larger than the current centre, the plans are going to be put to public consultation later this month.

Parish Council leader Steve Colella, who is also Chubb project manager, said: “The team wants to engage with the public for their input as much as possible and we also want to encourage local enterprises to register interest if they believe they could operate from the new hub.

“The parish council, library services, West Mercia Police and a local sports group have so far registered verbal interest in being part of the community centre.

“Any groups which could provide benefit to the community’s health, wellbeing or social cohesion are welcome to get in touch.”

The project’s public consultation is being held at 5pm on November 23, prior to the AGM of the Hagley Community Association.

Cllr Colella said newsletters, featuring information about the new build and public consultation, will be distributed to all residents.

The community centre plans were pushed forward after £10,000 was raised at Hagfest, a brand new music festival on the village playing fields, which featured 10 local bands, school performances, as well as various stalls and attractions including a bouncy castles and laser tag tent.

Fran Evans, event organiser, said: “We are really pleased with the turnout on the day which was around 2,000 people. Not bad for the first event of its kind.

“We only had four months to organise it from scratch, but it was a lovely day, with perfect weather and a real festival feel.

“There is a lot of interest about doing an event next year and we are currently looking at the provisional date of July 2. As long as we can get sponsorship we’d be happy to put on another event.

“Most of the people on the committee and volunteer team – which topped 100 people – really enjoyed themselves and would love to do it again as it was for such a good local cause.”