The Mattishall Community Project from 1999-2009 saw the consolidation of local schools and the purchase of the vacant school site by the parish council. Funds from a large charitable bequest were used to purchase the site and develop it into housing, a village green, and car park. The vacant old school building remains to be converted into a community center, for which fundraising efforts continue.

1. Mattishall Community Project 1999 – 2009

2. 1999 Mattishall First School and Mattishall Middle Schools combined to form Mattishall Primary School First School site likely to become redundant Parish Council have informal discussions with Norfolk County Council

3. 2003 - School site becomes redundant Formal expression of interest by Parish Council to buy the site Discussions with Mattishall Church about purchasing it jointly

4. NPS acting for the County Council No asking price No concessions made by NPS

5. Concept was to create a Village Green and a Community Centre Became apparent that some housing would have to be built on the site in order to finance the purchase

6. A Massive Piece of Good fortune Roy and Jean Barlow leave £106,000 to the Parish Council for the Village.

7. 2006 Agreement with Hayes Affordable Homes to build 12 houses on the site - 9 affordable at 75% of market value, - 3 at open market value

8. 2006 The Barlow Charity created Site purchased for £275,000 999 year lease on land for houses simultaneously sold to Hayes Affordable Homes for £180,000. Hayes to pay Barlow a further £15,000 when all houses are sold.

9. Barlow Charity Registered Charity and Company limited by guarantee Owns and manages the project. Village green Car park Old School Building Freehold of houses 25% of leasehold affordable houses Trustees appointed by the Parish Council

10. 2007 - 8 Section 106 agreement finalised 12 houses built Car parking completed Village Green completed

11. Later in 2007

12. Houses October 2009

13. Village Green October 2009

14. Community Centre Fundraising 2007 Estimated £600,000 required Applications made to Lottery and Communitybuilders fund. Both unsuccessful

15. 2008 Barlow Charity had no cash Parish Council pay for insurance

16. Autumn 2008 Consultation and Redeemable Bond Scheme Consultation with 1100 households in Mattishall to gauge support for a Community Centre 40% of questionnaires returned 81% in favour 12% against 7% don’t know

17. 220 people subscribed to Redeemable Bond Scheme £4,945 raised

18. Another Piece of Good Fortune

19. Electricity sub station Wayleave £450 per year Back payment of £1,127 received in 2008 Forward payment of £3,194 for next 7 years received in 2009

20. 2009 Developing a business plan for Community Centre Working on Fundraising for converting the building. Plan to create a Heritage Community Centre Preparing application to National Lottery Heritage Fund

21. Old School Building October 2009

22. Old School Building October 2009

23. What has been achieved The £106,000 legacy has become………. 12 Houses (9 affordable plus 3 open market) Car parking in the village centre A village green A school building waiting to be converted into a Community Centre