LECHLADE residents were given the opportunity to look over the plans for the new Memorial Hall over the weekend, alongside the architects and councillors.

Representatives of Cirencester-based Eric Cole Architects were on-hand throughout the two-day exhibition at the Pavilion building on Oak Street, with more than 200 residents attending.

Cotswold District Cllr Sue Coakley, who is also secretary for Lechlade Memorial Hall & Recreation Ground Charity, said she was ‘delighted’ that so many residents attended.

She said: “It was especially pleasing to have a good mix of families with children and older residents.”

Everyone attending was asked to mark down their preference between the two options and Cllr Coakley said an approximate count has shown that option two is leading with 170 votes, compared to 60 for option one.”

She said both designs deliver the additional facilities requested by those who completed the questionnaire, which had previously been delivered to every household in the town earlier this year.

Feedback included the preference for more meeting rooms and a larger bar and kitchen.

Cllr Coakley went on to say: “Option two makes more efficient use of the space so is lightly smaller than option once, and hence a lower cost to build.

“We will analyse the comments received over the next few days and make any minor changes to the design in the coming weeks before going out to tender with a view to starting the build by Easter,” she added.

The original Memorial Hall was burned down in an arson attack in May, with a steering committee, which consists of three town councillors and three trustees of the hall charity, and is chaired by Cllr Coakley, continuing to raise funds for the project.

“A tremendous amount of work has been completed by the steering committee over the past few months and it was really encouraging to get such a clear steer from those who attended the event on the preferred design,” said Cllr Coakley.