Controversial village hall opens

THE controversial Great Coates village hall has been officially opened by the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire.

The hall, which has split members of the local community since its inception, saw more than 40 people turn out for its grand opening.

Chairwoman of the Great Coates WI and resident Lesley Jacklin says the hall is exactly what the village needed.

She said: "It's fabulous.

"Ever since the reading rooms closed, the community has had nowhere to go. Nowhere to hold events or groups which has seen many stop altogether.

"Luckily, the WI has managed to continue from the Willows, but it is great to be back in the village.

"Having this building will bring the community back together. Here at this ceremony we already have young and old coming together for the community."

Chairman of the Parish Council Nicola Maasdam said despite the rocky start to the building it has been welcomed by the community.

She said: "We are really pleased with how the building has turned out.

"It is great to finally have a purpose-built hall here in the village for the community to use.

"It is already booked out weeks and months in advance with clubs, groups and events.

"This speaks for itself as to how the village feels about the hall.

"The long, difficult journey to completion is now over. This building is not just for the current generation, but for the youngsters as they grow up, too."

Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Peggy Elliott said: "This is a great addition to the village.

"It will bring people together and gels the community.

"The hall is quite impressive, I really wasn't expecting it to be so big inside. I hope it will become a self-sustaining building with groups, parties and wedding receptions being hosted here.

"There was controversy from the start and I must admit I was in favour with the resident vote that it wasn't the best time to build during a recession.

"We are where we are and I hope it becomes a great asset to the village."

There was huge protest over the £300,000 loan that the parish council took to fund the project, which prompted the formation of the Great Coates Residents' Association (Grass), which lobbied against the plan.

A community governance review was triggered by Grass' request for the village council to be abolished as a result of it going ahead – against the wishes of 80 per cent of residents who voted in a referendum on the issue.