FLACKWELL Heath Community Centre has taken its first step towards major redevelopment after it was awarded an unexpected £4,000 grant from Chepping Wycombe Parish Council.

The centre, in the Straight Bit, has a redevelopment plan of around £72,000 for new toilet, storage, and kitchen facilities, which the Community Association hopes will give it a major face lift.

And at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 3, the parish council gave the centre an unexpected financial boost by awarding them almost all of their £5,000 put aside for grants.

John Sweetman, Chairman of Flackwell Heath Community Association, said the grant was "great news".

He said: "We're not announcing it officially until we get a letter but it is very surprising.

"We are very surprised and delighted. We had been looking in the region of a couple of thousand as you know, but this is a lot, lot more than expected."

At the meeting, nine people voted in favour of the award going to the centre, with one abstention, and one person against the proposal.

It has been previously discussed that the £5,000 would be split three ways with the centre and Penn and Tylers Green Football Club getting £2,000 each, and £1,000 going to Tylers Green Village Hall.

Instead the football club was awarded the remaining £1,000 with the village hall missing out completely.

Brian Day, council clerk, said that the money would only be handed over once the association commits to spending the entire amount on its redevelopment plan.