Expression of interest - Westvale Park neighbourhood hall

Will other organisations be using the neighbourhood hall?

The Council has been in on-going conversations with local organisations who may be interested in using the neighbourhood hall, these include:

• A local general practitioner: the Council has been discussing their use of two clinical use rooms on the first floor to deliver GP services.
• RBBC’s Democratic Services team: when elections are called, the hall and meeting room will be used as a polling place; it is expected the hall will be used as a polling place from 2026.
• Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB): the ICB are interested in hiring space for health and wellbeing services, to be used to deliver services to local people.
• Other interested organisations: the successful operator will work with local organisations and partnerships who would like to use spaces in the neighbourhood hall.

What will the neighbourhood hall be used for?

The building has been designed to be used for a range of community and/or health uses. The main hall has been designed as a flexible space for both physical activities and other community uses such as meetings, classes and events.

What are the terms of the lease?

The terms of the lease will be agreed with the successful operator. The property is available on flexible lease terms and offered on a peppercorn rent of £1 per annum to community and voluntary sector organisations. We are asking interested organisations to provide as much information on the length of lease agreement they would be seeking within the expression of interest. 

How will the neighbourhood hall be funded?

The Council will work with the successful operator to identify any funding support that may be needed and may include match funding or a commuted sum towards the initial setup costs and ongoing maintenance and management expenses over the duration of the lease.

Will I be able to book the neighbourhood hall for a private event?

The successful operator will work with the local community to accommodate private hire and manage a booking chart for the main hall and meeting room in the neighbourhood hall.

How have you taken sustainability into account?

A number of sustainable measures have been incorporated within the building design including an air source heat pump, photovoltaic solar panels and infrastructure for the later installation of an electric vehicle charging point. In addition, the external areas host native planting and other insect attracting features such as wildflowers and log piles.

Who can apply to operate the neighbourhood hall?

The Council is ideally looking for community-led groups and organisations to apply to operate the neighbourhood hall.

Who will be responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the neighbourhood hall?

The maintenance and cleaning responsibilities of the neighbourhood hall will be agreed between the successful operator and the Council.

When will the neighbourhood hall be open for the community to use?

It is anticipated that the neighbourhood hall will be open for community use in late summer or autumn 2025 following the operator selection process and fitting out of the building.

Accessibility – what measures are in place to make the neighbourhood hall accessible?

The neighbourhood hall will be fully accessible with level access throughout the building, a lift, accessible toilet and disabled parking bay.