A new community centre in High Wycombe opened its doors to residents for the first time this week after a £78,000 helping hand from Wycombe District Council and Action for Children.

Located off Garratts Way in the Disraeli ward, Bellfield Community House has been leased by the two organisations and will be run as a community centre.

Action for Children will run a children’s centre on behalf of Buckinghamshire County Council and staff say they are looking forward to working with people in the area.

Kim Hinves, children’s services manager for Bucks Short Breaks, added: “We look forward to developing vital local community services and building upon the work of our Bucks Activity Project providing play-schemes, youth clubs and short breaks for disabled children and young people aged five to 19 years old.

These services make a real difference to local families, children and young people who need it most.

“We already run a number of children’s services in Buckinghamshire and this local knowledge combined with our national expertise and resources will deliver excellent services to families and the wider community in this area.”

Bellfield Community House was built on the former Bellfield School site as a result of a planning agreement with Miller Homes.

As the agreement meant that the community house would only be built to a shell and core, WDC’s High Wycombe Town Committee stepped in with a £50,000 cheque towards the completion of the works, with Action for Children covering the remaining balance. The Council has project managed the completion of the works.

Chairman of the committee, Tony Green, said: "I have no doubt that Bellfield Community House will be a very welcome addition to community life in this part of the town.

“There was a known lack of community facilities in this area, which is why High Wycombe Town Committee were so pleased to offer financial support to finish the building, through the funds that we get as a result of local development."

The Council’s Community Facility Strategy identifies the Disraeli ward as an area with a deficiency in community facilities and also one of the district’s areas of deprivation. All age groups will be able to make use of Bellfield Community House.

Anyone wanting to make a booking to use Bellfield Community Centre should contact Carol Eden on 01296 438 230 in the first instance.