Community Centre Update – 5th November, 2024

Design and Access Statement – Barbara Weiss Architects

We have now added the Design and Access Statement by the reknown Barbara Weiss Architects to the Community Centre Development page. Please TAP here to read more!

Community Centre Update – 12th September, 2024

Planning Information

Curious about the Newhall Community Centre plans? Get all the details you need by exploring relevant planning applications on the Harlow Council website. Simply follow this link and stay informed about the exciting developments in your community: https://bit.ly/SearchHarlowPlanningApplication. Please use the following reference numbers in the search bar:

  • HW/CND/24/00365
  • HW/PL/15/00094
  • HW/CND/24/00197
  • HW/REMVAR/24/00037
  • HW/REMVAR/23/00353

Barn Update – 8th August, 2024

Planning Consent Given

Newhall Projects Ltd, working with Barbara Weiss Architects (BWA) has secured consent to create an oak-framed community hall reusing the structure of a historic barn in Newhall.

Harlow Council have approved proposals to restore and repurpose a rundown agricultural building on the eastern edge of Harlow.

The 325m² scheme will create a 120-capacity hall to be used by residents of the ever-growing Newhall estate, which started construction in the early 2000’s.

The community hall and facility is set to begin construction in September 2024. This project marks one of the final phases of the Newhall development and aims to provide a functional and inviting space for the local community.

London based architects, BWA, in collaboration with timber frame experts The Green Oak Carpentry Company and sustainability consultants Supernatural Studio, have designed an innovative low-carbon building that pays homage to the agricultural heritage of the area. The project combines traditional materials with cutting-edge sustainable technology.

Newhall Community Centre – View Across the Square

Newhall Community Centre – Proposed Elevation Drawings

Proposed North Elevation

Proposed West Elevation

Restoration

At the heart of the project is the restoration and re-use of a historic oak-framed barn located on the site. The new design incorporates this restored structure alongside a new oak frame, Hempblock walls, wood fibre insulation, and traditional red timber cladding. Large pitched zinc roofs complete the design, adding a modern touch to the rustic aesthetic.

This project demonstrates a successful balance of preserving local history and providing a contemporary, eco-friendly facility that will serve the community for years to come.

Capital Costs

The full capital cost of the build is being met by Newhall Projects Ltd at no cost to residents. This means that there are NO capital cost repayments to be made by residents for the build.

Business Plan

With regard to the business plan for the community hall, this has yet to be submitted to and agreed with Harlow Council and once this is done, and approved we can share this with the community. The S106 that requires this is still with Harlow Council for signing so presently Newhall Projects Ltd is not able to progress this matter formally.

We are not yet in a position to finalise the costs until the final specification has been agreed and contract awarded, as this will then need to be converted into a longer-term capital expenditure maintenance budget for the hall, which will inform the business plan, along with normal running costs and any income generated by the hire of the hall.

Once transferred to the Residents Association and open to the public, the hall will be available to local Newhall community and groups to hire at a discounted rate to the wider public under the S106 terms.

Images and Photographs: Courtesy of Barbara Weiss Architects.

Barn Update – 21st September, 2023

Green Oak Carpentry Company – Blink and you may have missed it! Have you noticed that the barn has now been totally dismantled! Green Oak Carpentry Company have been on-site this week and numbered all of the parts, dismantled the barn and have taken it back to their workshop in Hampshire for restoration! Look out for further updates here or on the Newhall Project social media channels.

What’s Happening to the Old Barn – 25th August, 2023

Newhall Residents get ready for some exciting news! The old barn that you can see from The Chase, is going to be painstakingly restored and will become the Newhall Community Centre. The image shown is a concept drawing of what the Newhall Community Centre could look like.

Long Process

There are many steps to the process and week commencing 21st August, 2023 you will notice scaffolding being erected around the barn. This is so the restorers can dismantle the barn and begin to take detailed photographs capturing images of all parts of the barn, inside and out, to document its current state.

It will then be taken offsite, where the they will use traditional materials that match the original construction, including using reclaimed wood, period-appropriate hardware and materials. An interesting historical fact, is that some of the reclaimed wood has actually come from fallen Oak tree branches in Newhall over the years, prepared and stored by Basil one of the original and last remaining Farm Hand.

Basil, New Hall Farm

Photograph of Basil, one of the original Farmers.

Photograph of Basil, one of the original Farm Hands at New Hall Farm, which was originally Newhall.

Reclaimed Oak

Oak Timbers collected and stored.

Photograph of the reclaimed oak timbers, collected by Basil.

They will then return it to Newhall, where it will be reassembled and become our new community centre.

Early Stages

Please remember the development is in its early stages, but we wanted to let the community know what’s happening, as there is likely to be quite a bit of activity on and around the site in the forthcoming months.

Keep an eye out here, or on our Facebook and Instagram accounts for news and updates!

  • First published: 25th August, 2023
  • Revised: 21st September, 2023
  • Revised: 8th August, 2024
  • Revised: 9th August, 2024
  • Revised: 12th September, 2024
  • Revised: 15th October, 2024
  • Revised: 5th November, 2024