St Dionis to Create New Living Space for Parsons Green Community

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Church applies to add extension after raising £80,000 on Spacehive

Parsons Green church St Dionis plans to create a new space for use by the local community, with the help of over £80,000 raised through crowdfunding platform Spacehive.

The church has submitted a planning application to H&F Council for the erection of a two storey extension between church and vicarage along with internal alterations to provide access.

The extension will provide facilities including new meeting space, accessible toilets and kitchen and a new entrance facing the green, giving people a clear view inside the church from the outside.

This is the second phase of the project, with plans drawn up by specialist architects Carden & Godfrey, who have also been involved in the conservation of St Peter's Church in Hammersmith. The first phase - the building of new boundary wall and railing - was completed in 2017.

The new Living Space, says the church is being created because there is currently no other community centre in or around Parsons Green.

On its website St Dionis says: "We will create more space within St Dionis and welcome all members of the local community into the church. The improved facilities will help local associations and residents, and improve the life of those on Parsons Green and the surrounding area. We know there’s a clear need for it.

"The Living Space project is led by the church with the help of a group of local businesses, schools and residents. Phase One of the work has already been completed. Our next phase will see improved facilities including a kitchen and beautiful new meeting spaces, plus a new entrance which faces the Green and tells Parsons Green that we are open!"

On its Spacehive page, it gave further details, explaing it was looking for support specifically around a new kitchen pod and saying: " By renovating and enhancing St Dionis church,we will be able to create a new entrance, add new accessible facilities, new meeting rooms, a mezzanine and a new fully functioning kitchen.

" Creating an accessible kitchen is a key element of the renovation project. The church has 350 members in the congregation, hosts tens of local community groups and schools, but space is limited and the kitchen is a real let down for everyone. We spoke with local charities, schools, and passers by and we know they would benefit from more space to meet, have a hot tea or a hot meal."

The church hoped to raise £80,000 through Spacehive, but with pledges from 81 backers, including £10,000 from H&F Council and thousands from local businesses including Megan's, the Co-op, Aspire estate agents, Zebedee Nursery, it actually raised £81,488.

It is one of a number of local projects to have successfully raised funds through H&F Spacehive, which has the backing of H&F Council and five other funding organisations. Others include Parsons Green Fair, a community kitchen for Sands End and a new shower for Barons Court Project.

St Dionis' application is now open for comments from the public, and the council is expected to make a decision on the plans during the autumn.

 

 

September 21, 2018