Application for CIL Funding
for
The Constable Memorial Hall
Gandish Road
East Bergholt
CO7 6TP
Contents
1. Summary of the criteria addressed
2. Application
This Version: 5 May 2026

Does the application provide all the required
detail to enable a fair assessment of the merits
of the case for the CIL funds required?
The attached application form gives a clear and
detailed description of our plans to renovate
and improve the Constable Memorial Hall for
the benefit of a growing East Bergholt.
Is the body to which any funds that might be
provided, judged to be responsible, trustworthy
and able to demonstrate a successful track
record?
In recent years we have been fortunate to have
benefited from funds to improve the interior of
the Hall. These improvements include:
A new extended kitchen (December 2020)
Renovation of the Benneworth Lounge (2022).
Each project was carried out according to the
original outline plans and completed within
budget.
Has a robust business case and justification
been provided that demonstrates a good use of
funds required?
We have provided a detailed description of our
project with costings for each individual
element. The attached application form
explains the reasons behind the need for the
improvements to the hall.
Will the project provide wide benefits within the
community of East Bergholt?
Yes – the improvements will benefit all
members of our community, from the young
children who attend ballet classes and family
celebrations to those older members of the
community who benefit from a variety of both
social and fitness activities.
Is the project deliverable? Yes. As with other recent improvement projects
at the Constable Memorial Hall, we are
confident that, with sufficient funding and
expertise the project can be delivered
successfully and within budget. We have, as
shown in the attached application, secured well
regarded expertise. We are now applying to
East Bergholt Parish Council for financial
support to contribute towards enabling the
proposed works. We will also seek funding
from the district council and possibly other
grant giving bodies as well as making a
contribution from our own modest funds.
Does the project align well with Council policies
and priorities?
Yes. The attached application discusses this,
as does the addressing of the criteria invoked
by the Neighbourhood Plan.
Is the project deliverable without the use of CIL
allocation?
No. As a village facility that aims to be
affordable for, and accessible to, the widest
range of residents, we do not have sufficient
monies to embark on this project without the
support grant funding.
CIL Funding Criteria

To meet the local needs for new housing and
services.
A range of activities, involving people of all
ages and interests take place in our premises.
The application explains what many of these
activities are. Involvement in many of that
activities that take place at the Constable
Memorial Hall develop social cohesion within
the community.
To ensure physical infrastructure, community
facilities and local services keep up with East
Bergholt’s social and economic needs.
We have already seen an increase in bookings
for young children’s parties. Many of the
requests for such family celebrations have
come from people living in the new housing
developments within the village. Many of the
other activities that take place at the hall
provide opportunities for local residents to
broaden their experiences without the need to
travel to far removed locations
To embrace heritage and wildlife conservation.The Constable Memorial Hall was built to
commemorate the life of John Constable,R.A.,
one of the foremost and, in his time innovative,
English landscape artists whose name has
become synonymous with a particular vision of
the British countryside. It would be
inconceivable that the setting for such a
memorial would fail to reflect his passion for
nature and the rural life. The building itself was
designed by Raymond Erith, a renowned local
architect who was best known for his
reinvention of the classical/ Georgian style of
architecture.
A hedge was planted 2 years ago to separate
and preserve part of the grassy area to the
south-west of the Constable Memorial Hall.
Parking for about 6 cars remains but the area
beyond the hedge is being kept as a wild-life
garden with plans to introduce a couple of
seats/benches to enable visitors to sit and
quietly enjoy the space .
To reduce the impact of traffic and dependence
on and impact of private cars. To create a safe
village environment for pedestrians and
cyclists.
Parking and the number of cars that visit the
site has been a seemingly imponderable
problem for many years. Regrettably this work
will do little to alleviate this difficulty.
To promote…..
East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan Objectives

To promote a successful rural economy. A number of local businesses use our facility.
These small businesses, predominantly run by
members of the local population, provide
opportunities for residents to have experiences
that they would otherwise have to travel to.
Many of these small businesses have been
operating for many years and they provide a
valuable and reliable source of income for the
hall. The Ballet School is one such example. In
addition are ‘Active Lives’ classes many of
whose members are made up of participants
who have been referred by the local Constable
Medical Practice.
Also present on our booking calendar are Body
Conditioning, Tai Chi and Yoga classes – all
private businesses.
To encourage a resource efficient built
environment and aim to minimise energy use,
increase the use of renewable energy and
reduce waste.
We are very keen to improve energy efficiency
where we can. The central heating is now in 2
separate zones, thus reducing the cost of
having the the whole building heated when only
part of it is being used.
Heating can be controlled remotely, and our
water consumption has been significantly
reduced with the introduction of dry urinals
which were installed almost 10 years ago!
The addition of a warm roof and cavity wall
insulation will further reduce energy
consumption. This will also be enhanced by the
installation of photo-voltaic solar panels, with
battery back-up, on the south-west facing roof.

Page 1 of 7
EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
Grant Application Form
2. Applicant details
Name: Valerie E James
Position in organisation: Chair
Telephone: 01206 298638 / 07971745393
Email: redhotsixpence@hotmail.co.uk
Address:
The Red House,
Gandish Road,
East Bergholt
CO7 6TP
1, Name of Organisation making application
The Constable Memorial Hall East Bergholt Trust CIO

Page 2 of 7
3. Organisation details
Charity providing a Community Hall for hire
Address
Constable Memorial Hall, Gandish Road,
East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6TP
Phone (if different from above)
Email (if different from above)
Registered Charity?
Charity number 1200327
Voluntary / Community Group?
Company Ltd by Guarantee
Self-help group / forum?
What does you organisation do:
Markets, manages, maintains and makes the Constable Hall available for hire
to the residents of East Bergholt and others.

Page 3 of 7

4. Amount requested:
The project is included in the EBPC’s PIIP plan. The PIIP plan shows £150 K from Babergh DC in the form of
grants and £50k from the Parish Council. The amounts shown in the PIIP are almost correct. A year has
passed since the Constable Hall project was first included in the PIIP plan. It is known that Babergh DC
limits CIL funding to £100,000 per project and so we will need to access other Babergh funds.
The amount requested from EBPC is £57k but if there is a shortfall from Babergh DC, then we would
humbly request that the Parish Council generously makes up the shortfall. The worst case would be an
addition to the £53k if Babergh or others cannot help beyond their CIL limit, but we envisage any
additional amounts to be small or zero.
5. Describe the project/use of funds and how it meets the required criteria in the
Grants Policy
Background
In recent years the Constable Memorial Hall has benefitted from a number of grants. These grants have
enabled
•a new kitchen to be fitted
•A new access created between the kitchen and Benneworth Lounge
•Improvements to the toilet facilities
•Replacement windows in the main hall
•Replacement curtains
•Fitting LED lights
•Redecoration and new furniture in the Benneworth Lounge
•Equipment to enable the community to access the projector and sound system
I addition the Constable Hall Committee also uses its own funds for maintenance and small improvements
such as refurbishment of the sprung dance floor in the main hall, new storage cupboards, mobility access
ramps, repainting white lines and signs on the car park, repairs to fire doors and new locking
arrangements, repainting parts of the building and many other general maintenance items.
Two years ago various external issues were investigated with the expectation that there would be a
certain amount of external refurbishment required. It became apparent that it would not be wise to
spend money painting, repairing and like for like replacement on the external surfaces of the building.
What was needed were improvements to reduce the carbon footprint and make the building more
sustainable and make the building remains available and is attractive to the present and future
generations. In winter, it is no longer appropriate to burn lots of gas while the users of the hall suffer low
temperatures shivering and keeping themselves wrapped up in their coats, hats and gloves.
Two years of consultations with suppliers and contractors have led to the improvement project that is the
subject of this application for grant funds.

Page 4 of 7
Part 5 continued
Project proposals include
Solar Panels to the South West slope of the roof (reason to reduce operating costs and reduce
the carbon footprint)
Apparently, the current electricity usage by the Constable Hall will produce, as the electricity is
generated and distributed, 1.2 tonnes of CO2 each year. This could be reduced by 90% by
installing PV solar panels. In addition, approximately 9800 kWh might be exported each year.
This will produce significant savings in the running of the hall.
Included will be battery storage and a “Gateway” system to allow the batteries to feed the
building in the event of a general Grid power failure.
New roof
The existing roof is composed of corrugated cement fibre boards fixed to timber purlins. It is a
type of roof which is generally used on agricultural buildings, not habitable or public buildings.
The roof suffers from condensation on the underside of the roof panels, the Constable Hall
Committee have tried to manage the problem by increasing the ventilation in the roof space,
but without success. The roof of the hall is currently protected from dripping condensation by
internal tarpaulins. Advice has been taken from roof suppliers and a consultant and that
advice is to replace the roof with a “warm” roof.
The proposal is to replace the existing roof with a composite roof consisting of an external
profile metal roof, having the same appearance as the existing roof panels, with an internal
metal skin and bonded insulation between. The performance will meet building regulation
standard a “u” value of 0.18 W/K.m
2
.
External Walls
The building was originally constructed of concrete block in 1957/58. It does have a cavity, but
it is not insulated. Insulation to the roof and walls will reduce the amount of gas consumed to
heat the building and also allow the building to be raised to a suitable temperature for the
comfort and well-being of the hall users. The thermal standard for walls is 0.25 W/K.m
2
.
The Benneworth Lounge extension (added in the 1980’s) already has some cavity wall
insulation (1” boards), it will not meet modern standards but there are no plans to remove
and replace these thin insulation boards because it would not be cost effective.
Render
Inserting insulation into the walls means the render will need attention. In places the existing
render has cracked and there is some spalling. The project includes for repairing and painting
the render. The colour will be the original architect’s Russet red/brown choice and not the
pink colour that it is at present.
Architectural Details
The building was designed in the Palladian style and has decorative timber facia boarding
immediately below the eaves and verges and across the gables. These will be disturbed by the
works but will be replaced by new, except where the exiting can be salvaged, the style will
follow the original pattern.

Page 5 of 7
Part 5 continued
Much of the original downpipes and gutters have been replaced with products made of uPVC.
These replacement gutters are too shallow profile which means they frequently overtop and
allow water to flow down the side of the building causing damage to the render and windows.
The project includes for new gutters and downpipes in the style of the original cast iron
material and should restore the original appearance and feeling. These new gutters will be a
deeper profile to prevent overtopping.
Windows and doors
With all of the above work doors and windows will need repainting and the project includes
for this. There are 4 rotten windows unsuitable for repair so these windows will be replaced
with a class “A” frame and “K” glass double glazed window to meet modern day thermal
standards.
Meeting the Criteria
The above explains what the funding “is for”. Below reviews the reason why;-
The beneficiaries are the community who use the Hall for their social events. The residents of
East Bergholt Village make up the larger part, but some societies have a catchment wider than
just the village, such as the Stour Valley U3A.
The U3A has over 500 members and they rent the space for monthly lectures and also at other
times for craft and social activities
The WI has around 45 members and uses the Hall in a similar way
East Bergholt cinema entertains around 80 ten times per year
East Bergholt Drama Society puts on two productions per year over three nights each
There is a weekly Youth Club. A Ballet School teaches on three days each week. There are
several Keep Fit clubs and the Horticultural Society holds its annual show, a quiz night and
generally a lecture each year. There are a healthy number of private parties and each Friday
there is a warm space / Community Café where a two course meal can be obtained for £6.
This year is particularly exciting because it is the 250
th
anniversary of the birth of John
Constable with a week of special events at the Constable Hall in June culminating with the
annual Village Fair. The BBC Any Questions show will be broadcasting from the Hall in July and
in August there will be a special week-long, virtual reality event in August.
Everything is done and supported by volunteers from the village.
The total number benefiting from the hall is a sizable percentage of the village and the total
pedestrian count crossing the community hall’s thresholds each year will be several thousand.

Page 6 of 7
Part 5 continued Project Costs
The Constable Hall Committee has received several quotes. The following is from 3A Roofing which is
the best so far
£
Site set up 2,450.00 (CDM site)
Scaffolding 13,704.00 (8 weeks hire, but additional hire is likely to be required)
External battery room 3,120.00
Render works 6,768.00
Roofing- metal sheets 52,464.00
Guttering & downpipes 22,744.80
Roofing-flat roof 12,600.00
Solar Panels 23,843.00 NB on all the above the contractor has added 20% to
Sum £142,301.80 the base quote of his subcontractors
VAT £28,460.36
Total £170,762.16 however this total is lacking in some parts as below
Extra items
Cavity Wall insulation £9,555.00 (£3000 plus £25/sqm (251 sq m) plus 280 (2 wks scaffolding))
Architectural mouldings £3,600.00 to keep existing appearance & site lines at eaves
Windows £5,200.00 Replace single with double glazed and remove blocked window
Building reg control £1,500.00 estimate
Consultants fees £20,000.00 estimate
Risk based contingencies
Scaffolding £420.00 (4 weeks @ £140 @ 75% risk)
New Purlins £3,750.00 we know the existing purlins are soft, £5000 @ 75%
Render £2,500.00 Start again render/chemicals/structural (Tyroline) 10k @ 25%
Drainage connection £800.00 £2000 @ 40% possible damage below ground level
Electrical issues £1,500.00 £3k @ 50% possible cable and old unsafe unknown elec issues
Extra visits consultants £1,000.00 £500 x 4 @50%
Ground reinstatement £1,500.00 £2k @ 75%
Delay and disruption £4,000.00 £8k @50%
VAT on extra items £9,305.00
Grand total £235,362.16 of which £25,800 are professional fees. Includes VAT
Works total = £209,562.16 this is an estimated total for the works at Feb 2026
Inflation is running about 4% pa and hence the cost this autumn might be 2% higher for autumn 2026
£213,753.34 for the works items estimated for autumn 2026
The consultant will be let by tender. The role of the consultant will be to write the detail specification.
(Reason to ensure we get what we need), produce the designs for the verge, eaves details etc. (reason
to ensure the architectural features are not degraded), put together the contractors contract and
evaluate the tenders (reason to ensure best price and financial control), oversee the construction
(reason to ensure the correct quality), ensure the safety file is produced, warranties are in place and
CDM procedures are followed (reason, manage risks). The consultant will stay available until the end
of the defects liability period. We will use the JCT form of contract because the works are generally
building works.

Page 7 of 7
A copy of the Constable Hall accounts will follow.
Requirements for Grant application (as per grant Aid Policy December 2025):
•Include specific amount of grant required.
•Clearly state what the funding is for
•Include how the project will benefit East Bergholt and its residents and
approximately how many residents will benefit;
•For awards in excess of £250, applicants must submit their latest annual
accounts with their application.
Grant aid is not available to fund individuals, commercial or statutory organisations.
Send your completed form and any supporting information to
Parish.clerk@eastbergholtpc.co.uk
The value of the works will be approximately £210,000
The Constable Memorial Hall Committee respectfully asks the Parish Council that the works are
necessary and are classed as capital works.
The CMH Committee will ask;-
1, Babergh District Council to commit £100,000 from their CIL fund.
2, Groundwork East or similar or Babergh DC for £53,000 from a sustainability fund.
3, An organisation such as the Garfield Western Foundation for 50% support towards the fees
(The Constable Hall will find the other 50% from our own funds)
4, The CMH Committee is asking East Bergholt Parish Council for £57,000 CIL funding towards the
£210,000 works costs, being just over one quarter of the expected total works costs. However, should
the CMH fail to secure a grant under 2 above, then we would request that instead EBPC might provide
this funding instead.