A former farm building, which has been 'The Den' for hundreds of young scouts over the years, looks set to be transformed.
For more than 40 years the 2nd Carlton Colville Scout Group has played an important role in the community,
And as the thriving scout group continues to grow with an increasing membership, they are looking forward to a brighter future – after plans were approved to extend its headquarters.
With the 2nd Carlton Colville scout hut based at The Den in Rectory Road, Carlton Colville an open evening was recently held at the group's headquarters.
Here residents had the chance to look at the plans for the proposed building work and alterations, which were approved by Waveney District Council under delegated powers earlier this month.
The proposal centres around the construction of a 15.7sq m single storey extension to the south west of the existing property, to create a new kitchen and improved toilet facilities.
The single storey extension will enable the internal layout of the rest of the scout hut to be reconfigured, in order to create a larger and more usable hall area, improved entrance lobby and much needed walk-in store.
With this helping the scout group to accommodate the activities of its growing membership group scout leader David Greenacre said: 'The evening gave the opportunity to look at what is planned and an opportunity to ask questions about the plans and the scout group in general.'
The current scout hut originally belonged to the church and it started life as a farm building, being used as a pig sty before it was converted into a meeting room for scouts.
Group chairman Paul Carver said: 'Now we need to expand to give more room for our boys and girls to do more activities.
'We have 30 Scouts, 20 Cubs and 18 Beavers and the extension project will give a much bigger main hall to accommodate them.
'As well as extending the existing single storey scout hut, the scheme will create a new kitchen and WCs within the extension to form a more efficient, multi-purpose building.
'It will also make us disabled friendly with ramps and a disabled toilet - as Scouting is all about being inclusive.
'The first stage of the project was to get the plans drawn up and apply for planning permission, which has recently been approved.
'The next stage is getting the architects' drawings and working out the precise cost, which we estimate will be at least £80,000.'
Fundraising drive
After the scout group's plans were given the go-ahead, they will now embark on a fundraising drive in the coming months.
Group chairman Paul Carver said: 'We invited local councillors and charitable organisations to come to see our plans and to see if they may be able to help with funds.
'We are also going to apply for lottery funding as well as charity foundations.'
The scout group will also be undertaking fundraising including bag packing in supermarkets and will also be holding regular Sunday car boot sales at Carlton Colville Community Centre.
Mr Carver added: 'Our timescale for the building is to use 2019 as a fundraising year then during the summer holidays of the following year the construction work will be undertaken, and by September 2020 everything will be completed ready for a grand opening.
'We can't wait!'
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