ADDITIONAL funds have been made available for the expansion of a community centre.

At a meeting of the cabinet of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, held on Tuesday, 10 July, members discussed an application for an extra £75,000 to be allocated to the Melrose Community Association (MCA).

The money will be put towards the completion of work at the Melrose Community Hall, in Abbey Road, Popley.

Members approved the proposal to grant the additional funds from the borough council’s Local Infrastructure Fund (LIF).

The MCA had previously been granted £343,800 from the LIF in 2015 to help with refurbishment and extend the hall to provide a suitable community space for the people of Popley West.

However, the costs of the work has proved to be significantly higher than originally budgeted.

Cabinet member for finance, service delivery and improvement, councillor Robert Tate said: “This will enable them to complete their planned project to expand a much-used community centre in Popley, both to meet current demand and to provide additional services for the community in future.”

It was also discussed that the amount allocated from the borough council may drop to £50,000 as there has been an application to Hampshire County Council to award a grant of £25,000 from its community buildings capital fund to this project.

Cllr Simon Bound, cabinet member for communities and community safety, added: “The Melrose Community Association has been working very hard to build its business plan in delivering a broad range of activities for the community.

“It is a community which has worked together to deliver a space where adults and children can go to socialise. So I strongly recommend we support the release of this extra money to allow the work to be competed.”

It is believed that the extension of the hall will bring significant benefits to residents in Popley West through an increased range of community activities and updated facilities.