Major rebuild to make centre warmer, drier and more accessible
Work has begun on a £3.8 million redevelopment of Lovat Hall, the Newport Pagnell Baptist Church building that doubles as a community centre for the local area. Contractors will demolish the rear section of the hall and replace it with a new two‑storey structure. As a result, the building will be closed to the public for up to a year while the project is carried out.
The overhaul is aimed at tackling long‑standing fabric and energy problems. The part of the building being replaced was originally a wartime garage and rifle range and remains largely uninsulated. The roof contains asbestos sheeting and the rear section has suffered from leaks and frozen pipes in winter. The new works include an air source heat pump, a new plant room and measures designed to improve insulation and weatherproofing.
"Lovat Hall is visited over 1,200 times a week on average throughout the year"
The hall is a busy local resource: the building hosts activities ranging from baby groups to sessions for older residents, providing recreation, social contact and support. The redevelopment intends not only to rectify maintenance issues but to add flexible space to support that community usage.
What is being replaced and what will be new?
- The area to be removed includes the Tickford Room (a small hall), the kitchen, the chapel, plant room and storage space.
- The replacement will be two storeys high, keeping the existing footprint but adding a new first floor.
- New facilities will include a ground floor meeting room, a new kitchen, a welcome foyer with café‑style seating and a first‑floor meeting space that can be subdivided.
- Accessibility upgrades will include a lift and stairs to the first floor, additional toilets and a first‑floor refreshments area.
- Environmental improvements include a new plant room with an air source heat pump and other energy efficiency measures.
Design considerations have tried to balance extra capacity with the site’s conservation status. The plans keep the building footprint largely unchanged while adding a first floor, and they aim to protect nearby trees and wildlife. The scheme will also produce a net increase in green space by converting some hardstanding to soft landscaping and opening the former preschool play area as publicly accessible open space.
How the project is being paid for
The funding package is largely drawn from the church community and external support. Money for the scheme comes from:
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| The Benefact Trust | £260,000 |
| Carbon Offset Fund (Milton Keynes) | £57,000 |
| Church donations, community fundraising, loan from Baptist Union Corporation and other grants | Remainder of £3.8m |
Project organisers say the balance will be covered by ongoing donations from church members, community fundraising, a loan from the Baptist Union Corporation and further external grants. No detailed timetable for the drawdown of all funding was published in the announcement.
For regular users of Lovat Hall, the closure will be disruptive. The centre is well used throughout the year, and organisers will need to relocate or suspend sessions while demolition and construction take place. The project team has not published a full schedule of rehoming arrangements for specific groups and users at the time of the initial works starting.
When completed, the refurbished building should offer improved facilities, safer and warmer spaces and better accessibility, strengthening its role as a hub for local activities in Newport Pagnell and the wider Milton Keynes area.
Residents and regular users will be watching how the closure is managed, how temporary provision is organised and whether the promised improvements deliver a long‑term benefit for the neighbourhood.
