A PROJECT team wanting to build a new village hall in Congresbury has delayed the planning application process in the hope it can secure tens of thousands of pounds in funding.

The Congresbury New Village Hall Development Trust is liaising with North Somerset Council planners and architects Stride Treglown to see if it can benefit from the new Community Right To Build scheme.

The trust wants to build a new hall at the George V Playing Fields in Stonewell Drive.

It expected to apply for planning permission by the end of March but has delayed the paperwork depending on the outcome of the funding enquiries. It could benefit from as much as £25,000.

Project spokesman Ian Sheppard said: “While it was disappointing not to meet the end of March deadline, the opportunity to apply for further grant funding would, if successful, save us a lot of fundraising.

“Community Right To Build is a community-led scheme which fits with what we are trying to achieve but we need to understand the process and ensure it is right for the project.

“Our team of volunteers are working hard on our fundraising activities and details can be found on the project’s website www.congnvh.org.uk”

It is hoped the premises can be built without the need to sell any of the other popular community buildings in the village.

The new hub would provide more room for activities within the village.

In a survey last year, many villagers were keen for the hall to house a café, bar and lounge area plus have room for activities such as skittles and badminton.

A fundraising golf day will be held at Mendip Spring Golf Club on May 15 to boost the trust’s coffers. It costs £20-35 per golfer, including 18 holes of golf, a drink and bacon roll on arrival and a post-round buffet.

For more information or to book, call Ron Hall on 01934 830085.

Other fundraisers planned by the trust include a summer open garden trail on June 14 and a vintage car rally on July 5.