Major plans for a £2 million redevelopment of an outdated Christian centre in Eden are continuing.
Representatives for the Dun Fell Christian Trust, a registered charity, have lodged plans with Eden District Council to make a larger centre, which more than doubles the internal floorspace of the existing building.
The proposal, which requires a fundraising drive, is to demolish the existing 70-bed indoor and outdoor leisure facility at the foot of Knock Pike, near Appleby, with a new 60-bed centre to offer “hostel-style” accommodation.
It would see the internal floorspace increase in size from 860sqm to 1,795sqm. It plans to increase the sizes of its dining area, games room, sports hall, chapel and lounge, as they had proved “too small” when demand is high during poor weather, which trustees said was a common occurrence in the North Pennines. The size of the car park would be increased from four spaces to 14.
The centre has been welcoming groups of young people since 1985. Officials say the buildings date back 70 years and were used to accommodate workers during the building of the Great Dun Fell Field Station.
A spokesman for the trust said: “We are going to try and rebuild the centre in the wonderful location of the Eden Valley. The great memories of the past will remain with the centre’s users but the trust would like to provide a facility that meets the needs of future generations.”
The trust has pledged a minimum impact on the area, the centre being fully accessible to all and offering highly-competitive rates.
The existing centre is available for hire by churches and other groups with a Christian ethos who share the aims of the trust, which are the teaching, practice and propagation of the Christian faith.
The application has been lodged with Eden Council by Ian Smart, of IPS Architects, Outhgill, near Kirkby Stephen, on behalf of the trustees. The trust said “much thought and effort” had gone into the design.
