The funding will also be used to replace an existing access door and emergency exit door with aluminium framed units. As a safety measure, the lower panels in the windows and doors will be fitted with non-glass blanking panels.
Malcolm Appleby, Property Steward, Prestwood Methodist Church said:
”Our Main Hall is used extensively by many community groups in the village, and the new windows will help to maintain this useful facility for years to come, and to reduce heating costs. We are very grateful for all the external funding received for this project.”
Since the HS2 Community and Business funds were launched in 2017, 47 projects in the Buckinghamshire area have shared over £2.7million. Projects have ranged from community facilities upgrades and sports programmes, to schemes to support businesses in the area that may be disrupted by the construction of HS2.
Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds, said:
“Church facilities are often at the heart of a community so maintaining and upgrading them is vital to make sure they can be used by local people for years to come. I am pleased that Prestwood Methodist Church has been successful in their application to the funds for these essential upgrades.
“The HS2 Funds are available to support local communities and businesses that are impacted by the construction of HS2 and I welcome other organisations near to the line of route to apply and gain the tangible benefits of these funds.”
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural community, environmental and business projects.
