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Regeneration and the Oakley Community Resource Centre

The Indices of Multiple Deprivation for both 2004 and 2007 identified Hesters Way, Springbank, St. Paul's and Oakley as areas of deprivation in Cheltenham.  Within these areas are 'hot-spots' that are amongst the 20% most deprived areas in the country, including parts of Oakley, which ranked 3,812 out of 32,482.

Oakley Regeneration Partnership (previously known as Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors Regeneration Partnership) was constituted in 1998, and the original regeneration strategy was adopted in March of that year.  It set out to promote employment, education and training, as well as an enhanced quality of life for the community.  The key aims were adopted as the responsibility of Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors Neighbourhood Project, working out of a portakabin in Wymans Road at the back of Cheltenham Town football ground.

Outline proposals for the development of a new resource centre for the Neighbourhood Project were developed in 1999 and taken to the Borough Council in June 2000.  However, although the proposals were accepted and plans agreed in January 2001, with a 5-year life span, funding to resource the development was not realised and the project remained undelivered.

Funding remained elusive until 2005, when an outlet of Sainsbury's was developed on part of the former GCHQ Oakley site.  £500k became available towards a community centre in Clyde Crescent, with matched funding to be identified.  A new resource centre in the heart of the community became a reality when the building was completed shortly before Christmas 2007.  (To see pictures of building progress throughout 2007 and the finished building in 2008, go to Photos page.)

Oakley Community Resource Centre not only provides accommodation for the Neighbourhood Project, but also an Area Service Delivery Centre for Cheltenham Borough Homes, offices for other tenants, conference facilities available to hire and sports changing facilities for the adjacent playing fields.  With the Children's Centre and Youth Centre nearby, Oakley Community Resource Centre completes a campus of provision for the area.

                    
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