WORK on Watchet Bowling Club’s proposed £1.6 million sports and community project at its Ramon Avenue ground is set to get underway in November after Somerset West and Taunton Council gave it the go-ahead.

The scheme suffered a major setback in November 2017 when £300,000 of Hinkley CIM funds was refused due to misunderstandings over preparations for the bid.

Another application had to be made and now Hinkley funding of £150,000 has been allocated to the scheme on condition that it is spent on the community aspect of the project and work begins before November.

The club is now seeking further funding for the scheme, which includes a community hall, gym, bar, kitchen, changing rooms and two indoor bowling rinks.

Revised plans involve changing the sites of the clubhouse and indoor rinks and reducing the area of the outdoor bowling green to accommodate the new building.

“We are delighted that the revised plans have been accepted, giving us the chance to finally start the project which has been in the pipeline for a very long time,” former club chairman and committee member Mike Webber said this week.

“The latest CIM grant of £150,000 stipulates that work has to start by the end of November.”

Mr Webber said the original plan was to put a double indoor bowling rink on the site of a row of demolished garages and refurbish the existing clubhouse, providing a community space for over 100 people, and to build a gym and other facilities.

Ann Snelling, club secretary and chairman of the building sub-committee, said the club had been successfully attracting new members, particularly young people: “This is all about the future of Watchet Bowling Club and of Watchet as a community.”

For the full story, buy tomorrow’s Free Press (July 12).