In 2018, Thornbury Parish Council applied for outline planning permission to demolish the old hall building and sell the site for the construction of two dwellings, and to cross-fund a second planning application for the development of a new hall, using part of the proceeds.  These applications were approved in 2021, together with a Section 106 agreement to link the two applications:

For the new hall, application 1/0643/2021/OUT (approved 24th August 2021).
For the old hall site (for 2 dwellings), application 1/0589/2018/OUT  (approved 25th August 2021).

The Section 106 Agreement was signed by Thornbury Parish Council and Stephens Scown Solicitors and sealed by Torridge District Council on 17th August 2021.

The land on which the new Hall is to be built will be gifted to the community by a resident. In recognition of the tax implications for the donor of such a gift, and in line with Charity Commission recommendations, we are proposing that the Hall will be owned and managed by the CIO, whose initial trustees are drawn from the Parish Council, at least during the fund-raising and construction phases.

In 2018, work began on an update to the Parish Plan from 2012, to reflect the achievements by the Parish Plan Implementation Group since 2012, and to address new needs arising in our community. In March 2019, a public consultation meeting was held in Thornbury, at which members of the community were invited to reflect on these achievements and to provide input on their desires for future enhancements to infrastructure and new services.  

In November 2019, a new Parish Plan questionnaire was given to every resident over the age of 7, and responses have been received and analysed. The new data indicates that the profile of the community is ageing, with fewer children and more retirees.  One of the greatest challenges facing our society today is an aging population, and Thornbury is no exception. The relative affordability of housing and the popularity of Devon as a retirement destination means that we have increasing numbers of senior citizens. But with aging comes the risk of social isolation. Whilst ours is a geographically extended community, the planned location at Windy Cross sits conveniently at the heart of the Hamlets. It will provide a focus for many activities which will help ensure the sustainability of our village community.

Based on the above, we anticipate that the hall will be used for events and activities including short mat bowls, skittles, craft groups, exercise classes, computer classes, talks, parish council meetings, polling station, coffee mornings, parties, funeral teas, fund raising events, live entertainment and so on.

The proposed location of the community hall is central to the Hamlets at Windy Cross and has adequate car parking areas associated with it. It will provide a medium-sized hall, a kitchen sufficient in size to cater to the hall, and toilet facilities. The detailed layout of these is to be finalised, to enable activities identified as community requirements in the Parish Plan.