Construction of a new Elleray Hall community centre is well and truly underway as the local community joined Richmond councillors to lay bricks for the building.

Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector, said: "Community facilities are the beating heart of any thriving community, and we must make sure they are fit for purpose.

"Being able to see Elleray Hall taking form tops off a year of investment in our local centres, including £7 million committed to new Ham community facilities.

"It's exciting to see the shared vision for Elleray Hall becoming a reality.

"With flexible indoor and outdoor space, it will bring benefits to residents of all ages for many years to come."

'Being able to see Elleray Hall taking form tops off a year of investment in our local centres,' says Cllr Nancy Baldwin (Credit: Richmond Council)

Once the service has moved into the new hall, the second phase will see the demolition of the existing community centre to make way for affordable housing units.

The new centre is part-funded by the sale of the existing Elleray Hall site for 100% affordable housing. 

The new housing scheme will deliver sixteen residential units, as well as: 

• Private gardens and communal amenity space
• Car-free units with the exception of the two accessible wheelchair units 
• A car club space 

The new community centre will be relocated to the nearby former depot and North Lane (East) car park, while the current Elleray site will be used for the housing scheme.

The current Elleray site is going to be used for a new housing scheme (Credit: Nub News)

You can read more about Elleray Hall provision here.

Contractors for the project, Beard, and architects McBains have contributed £250 each to the Elleray Community Association to support their Christmas activities at the current Elleray Hall.

Tom Jenkinson, Director of Beard Guildford office, said: "We are delighted to support the Elleray Community Association in their endeavour to relieve isolation and loneliness among those living in the community.

"We hope this donation helps bring some festive joy to the Teddington area."