New homes and community hub on the way in Moulsecoomb 

Work has begun on the development of more than 200 council homes and a new community hub on an underused site in Moulsecoomb. 

The development will provide the new community building and homes on land formerly used by the Moulsecoomb north and south hubs, the 67 Centre and the surrounding area. 

The aim is for the new community building to improve the services and facilities available for residents of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean.

Services and facilities that will be located in the hub include a GP Surgery, Moulsecoomb Library, and a community café.

Proposals also include a new centre for youth services within the hub, with a separate entrance and a skate park, as well as park and play spaces.

Bringing services together into a new purpose-built centre also frees up a number of sites to build around 200 much-needed new council homes.

Architect’s image looking towards the community hub and housing development in Flintfield Drive

Architect’s image looking towards the community hub and housing development in Flintfield Drive

Talking to the community

We’ve been discussing the proposals with local residents and community groups over the past few years.

In early 2020, we held a series of Planning for Real sessions, which used a 3D model of the neighbourhood to give residents a hands-on way to have their say on the best way of providing what’s needed.

More than 200 residents attended and gave constructive and positive feedback on what they’d like to see and potential concerns they have.

Views given included the facilities and activities residents would like to see in the hub, the type of housing, transport and the landscaping.

Original proposals to have the community hub on land next to the Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre were changed following feedback from the sessions about the importance of the visibility and accessibility of the hub. It’s now proposed to site it in the heart of the wider development.

Proposals to transfer land to the council’s housing revenue account and relocate services were agreed by Housing Committee on 29 April 2020 and Policy & Resources committee on 30 April 2020.

The business case for the proposals was also agreed by the Policy & Resources committee.