Costessey community group seeks new home

A lack of available facilities at a housing estate has forced a popular coffee morning to shut after three years.

Reverend Helen Freeston from the Costessey Methodist Church said the session for parents and children at Queen's Hills Primary School had nowhere to go after rising pupil numbers at the school meant a classroom could no longer be spared on Tuesday mornings.

Rev Freeston said: 'We need a space for people to relax and get to know each other and build up community links.

'The mornings have been hugely successful. It just seems ridiculous that people can't work together to get something There are so many plots of land which are just standing empty.'

Queen's Hills has fought for more facilities since lead developer Cofton went into administration in 2009, and has long been promised a community centre.

Money and planning permission are in place for the centre, but Costessey Parish Council is waiting for the consortium of developers, represented by Gleeds, to release the land.

Gleeds told the Norwich Evening News it was looking to transfer the land 'as quickly as possible' and was waiting for the Land Registry office.

A spokesman said: 'The parish council will be offered the opportunity to start building the community centre while these legal necessities take place thanks to an early access agreement that we are arranging.

'In the meantime, an area will be made available for the parish council to install portable accommodation for community use.'

A cabin for a youth group and Sure Start group was also promised last year, but vandals broke into Taylor Wimpey's compound and damaged the facilities.

Norfolk county councillor for Costessey, Tim East, said: 'The consortium have procrastinated in the delivery of the land. I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.'

Do you have a story about Costessey for the Evening News? Contact Tom Bristow on 01603772313 or email tom.bristow@archant.co.uk