PLANS for a major overhaul of a village hall have been given the green light.

Drakes Broughton Village Hall will be given a modern and fresher design as part of an extended building after plans were backed by Wychavon District Council.

With the village hall already hosting fitness and ballet classes, youth football and bowls, the aspiration is to make the improvements to ensure the hall is the ‘go-to’ place for the village and the local community.

Work is expected to take place between September and February next year with the village hall open fully for business by March but may now be affected by the coronavirus.

A long-awaited new children's play area with slides, tightopes and climbing frames as well as rubber flooring will also be installed as part of the refurbishment plans replacing old and tired equipment.

A planning statement include with the application said: “The hall should thrive as a vital part of the community in a growing village.

“We propose to extend and modernise the building, providing a good communication from the building to the outside grounds.

“There will be improved natural light and access points for functions to engage with outside events.

“The surrounding grounds will include activities for all age groups, and a peaceful garden area.”

The majority of the funding for the refurbishment will come from Wychavon District Council as part of its multi-million-pound community legacy grant scheme which hands over money to towns and parishes for “innovative, ambitious and viable” projects.

The village hall refurbishment will receive the biggest sum in the latest round of Wychavon District Council’s community funding which equates to £200,000 plus £64,5000 in government New Homes Bonus money, which is given to the council as incentives for building homes.

Locals also raised money to help pay for the refurbishments.