Norwich 33rd Scout Group face challenges with £1m hut build

The 33rd Norwich Scout Group started work on the £916,000 development at the group's current home in Jessopp Road after securing a grant from the government's Youth Investment Fund last summer.

However, the group has now submitted a planning application to Norwich City Council with some changes to the design as rising costs have left the build unable to go ahead as planned.

The demolition of the old scout hut started last month (Image: 33rd Norwich Scout Group)

Andrew Parle, lead project manager, said: "The original bid for £916,000 was sufficient when it was submitted just over two years ago.

"Unfortunately, inflation has hit the price of building materials hard, and log supplies from Russia have also been impacted by the current global situation.

"This has raised the price for completing the building to £1.15m, leaving a shortfall. We approached the original fund holders but were told no further funds were available.

Andrew Parle is project managing the build (Image: Denise Bradley)

"While this is a challenging situation we will tackle it together as a community with our usual determination.

"Our hard-working volunteers are undertaking as much of the work as possible, such as the recent demolition, to keep costs down.

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"We would welcome any offers of extra help from local businesses or grant holders."

The new plans could see the size of the hall decrease and no veranda around the edge of the building (Image: Denise Bradley)

Diana Hare, the project's fundraising coordinator, added: "The revised plans are a contingency and have been designed to minimise the impact of any changes should this be necessary.

"However the group is already working hard to secure alternative funding to plug the gap.

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"It's a one-time-only chance for us to create a legacy, so we want it to be as good as it possibly can be. 

Revised plans for the 33rd Norwich Scout Group's new hut in Jessopp Road (Image: A Squared Architects)

"The ground-clearing has started, so work has definitely not ground to a halt.

"The brilliant new centre will still be carbon neutral, fully accessible and offer a fantastic new facility for local scouts and community groups. It will be completed as scheduled."

The new plans would see the size of the store and meeting room reduced and the 'log cabin' exterior changed to a timber frame, with features including the all-weather veranda left hanging in the balance.