A VILLAGE hall is set to have a major refurbishment following a council cash boost, new plans reveal.

The plans for Drakes Broughton Village Hall, submitted to Wychavon District Council, show a modern and fresher design to an extended building.

With the village hall already hosting fitness and ballet classes, youth football and bowls, the aspiration is to make major improvements to ensure the hall is the ‘go-to’ place for the village and the local community.

If the plans are approved, work is expected to take place between September and February next year with the village hall open fully for business by March.

A planning statement include with the application said: “The hall should thrive as a vital part of the community in a growing village.

“We propose to extend and modernise the building, providing a good communication from the building to the outside grounds.

“There will be improved natural light and access points for functions to engage with outside events.

“The surrounding grounds will include activities for all age groups, and a peaceful garden area.”

The funding for the planned upgrades comes from an almost £900,000 fund that will eventually be handed out by to carry out a range of community and parish projects.

The council, as part of its multi-million-pound community legacy grant scheme which hands over money to towns and parishes for “innovative, ambitious and viable” projects, will be awarding a share of almost £900,000 to several schemes including the village hall.

The village hall refurbishment will receive the biggest sum in the latest round of Wychavon District Council's community funding which equates to £200,000 plus £64,5000 in government New Homes Bonus money, which is given to the council as incentives for building homes.

Locals have also been raising money to help pay for the refurbishments.

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of Wychavon District Council’s website.

The application number is 20/00533/FUL.

Consultation ends on April 6.