Work has officially begun on the new £2.9m state-of-the-art community hub earmarked for the communities of Magor and Undy. On Tuesday 24th January, representatives from Monmouthshire County Council, Kier Construction and members of the Magor and Undy Community Hub (MUCH) group gathered at the ‘Three Fields’ site in Magor for the official ground-breaking ceremony at the site.
The ceremony marks a significant milestone for the project, which has been in the works for several years. Once opened, the facility will boast a modern and sustainable multi-use hub designed for social, culture, leisure, sporting and other community activities. The site will offer spaces for community use and commercial events, as well as potential for small business growth. The building is designed to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Standards. This will include the adoption of a low carbon ‘green’ design based on durability and resilience, inclusive of energy efficient solutions such as solar panels and air source heat pumps. The new hub, which is located (on the Three Fields site) adjacent to the B4245, will also offer an interface with the proposed Magor and Undy walkway station.
The development’s fruition is the collective efforts of Monmouthshire County Council and the MUCH group, who have collaborated on the concept and securing of funding since the scheme was revived in 2009 (MUCH involvement since 2016). The scheme is funded by a combination of Welsh Government Economic Stimulus Funding, S106 adult recreation contributions from nearby developments, and grant from the ‘Big Lottery’ fund. Once completed, The MUCH group will occupy and manage the proposed community hub for the direct promotion of community use. The MUCH group currently manage existing properties in Magor and the surrounding area, including Undy Memorial Hall, and this site will afford improved connectivity and publicity of the local offerings.
Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council said: “This long-awaited project has been years in the making and is the culmination of the hard work and determination of the MUCH group and MCC officers. To see this project starting to take shape is a testament to the community spirit and persistence of the MUCH group as well as the combined efforts of MUCH and MCC. This initiative is the epitome of community and will sit at the heart of these two wonderful villages, providing a space where all generations can come together. It’s a huge thank you to all involved who have helped get the project to this point and I cannot wait to officially open the doors later this year.”
Leading UK infrastructure services, construction and property group, Kier started ground works in late 2022 with the build progressing well, with the erection of the steel frame and concrete slab now complete. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2023.
Ian Rees, area manager for Kier Western & Wales, said: “The new community hub will provide a much-needed facility for those living in Magor and Undy, so to be marking such an important milestone is fantastic.
“We are proud to be supporting local initiatives throughout construction and Kier has already hosted site visits for schools in the community, inspiring the next generation of construction professionals. We look forward to hosting further events over the coming months.”
Paul Turner, Trustee and Chair of the MUCH Group, said: “Myself and the MUCH group are pleased to see the building of the Hub going so well and are looking forward to its opening later in the year. It’s been a pleasure to work with MCC councillors and officers and The Lottery to make its construction possible. It’s been a long time coming but we are sure that it will be a fantastic facility that residents will greatly appreciate”
The MUCH group are keen to hear from anyone who may wish to run social/recreational groups or classes, or anyone who may see a business opportunity at the new hub. To discuss potential opportunities please contact the group on magorandundyhub@gmail.com