Stacey Bushes Meeting Place Reconfiguration

Stacey Bushes Meeting Place is a 1970's L-shaped building consisting of a perimeter corridor, 2 small rooms and one large hall. Currently only one group at a time can use the building. It was an asset transfer from Milton Keynes City Council to the Town Council in February 2023, and was passed over in poor condition.

Currently the building is hired morning and afternoon by a pre-school facility term time, which means it is unavailable for other groups to use during this time. The project will reconfigure the building to maximise the usable space by increasing the size of the existing hall and create a second good sized hall (capacity 60 seated) which can be used for community groups and events. Both areas will offer their own kitchen, accessible toilet facilities and all areas include disability access. Both kitchens will offer cooking and refrigeration appliances as well as pots and pans, crockery, cutlery etc for use by the hirers as well as separate hand-washing sinks in line with hygiene regulations. The heating will also be upgraded as it currently is a household grade.

There is currently an entrance with brick steps that are a danger and this area will also be reconfigured as part of the process. Both areas will have their own separate entrance which will be flat and fully accessible.

The community is diverse and comprises of elderly, single adults in social housing, residents requiring specialist
adapted disability access units as well as families. Added to this, there is also significant different ethnic &
religious groupings. Many of these groups are isolated and the project aims to encourage more community engagement and activities in this deprived area of Milton Keynes.

The newly refurbished building will give the community a feeling of being recognised and worthy of a great centre.
The applicants are keen to engage the community and to ensure the building becomes a vibrant community hub, with
visiting services, community activities - lunches, sports and entertainments as well as being available for private
hire for local groups and families.