Charity and community hub is seeking legal and building surveying support for the Old Library Community Asset Transfer.

What do they need help with?

Hope Church Bedlington has received a positive response to its application for a Community Asset Transfer of the Old Library building in Bedlington Station, Northumberland.

The charity is now looking for specialist pro bono support to help it progress the acquisition and understand the condition of the building before taking on the asset.

Its first priority is legal and property advice on the proposed Heads of Terms and the wider Community Asset Transfer process. Hope Church would value support to review and critique the Heads of Terms, identify any key risks or points requiring clarification, and advise on the acquisition process and negotiations with the council.

This support would help the charity understand the commitments it may be taking on and ensure it can approach the transfer with a clear view of its legal and property obligations.

The second priority is a building condition survey of the Old Library. The charity is seeking an assessment of the building’s current condition and the works likely to be required to make it safe, compliant and suitable for community use. There is a known asbestos issue, which will need to be taken into account alongside the wider fabric and condition of the property.

The Old Library has been vacant for a number of years. Hope Church plans to bring it back into use as a permanent base for community services, including its Clothes Bank and R21, which supports people fleeing domestic abuse.

Together, the legal review and building condition survey would give Hope Church a clearer understanding of the risks, responsibilities and likely investment required before completing the transfer and progressing the project.

Timeline

As soon as possible

About the organisation

Hope Church Bedlington is a registered charity serving the Bedlington community in Northumberland. It has been active locally for more than ten years and, alongside its church community, delivers a range of practical community services.

Its activities include youth programmes, a Community Clothes Hub providing free school uniforms and children’s clothing, and a community garden supporting wellbeing and biodiversity.

The charity also runs R21, which supports people fleeing domestic abuse. Through the proposed Old Library project, Hope Church wants to create a permanent and accessible base for its community work, including services for young people who may be at risk of homelessness.

https://hopechurchbedlington.co.uk