CONCERNS over the transparency of the management committee of a community centre in Chepstow dogged a public meeting into a prospective £1million development project.

The Drill Hall has secured £50,000 of Big Lottery Funding to redevelopment the site, which would see a second smaller hall built among other improvements.

In order for the bid to be successful, an agreement needs to be reached by Tuesday, September 26 otherwise the capital asset funding grant could be lost.

Ned Heywood MBE, the chairman of the Drill Hall board of trustees and town councillor for the St Mary’s ward, said the project, which was first proposed four years ago, would benefit the entire community.

“It is an opportunity to show the public the draft designs, and they are still draft designs as they may change, for the building,” he said.

“It would be for the community of Chepstow and owned by them forever.”

The hall is currently owned by Monmouthshire County Council, and the capital assets transfer will move it from council ownership to a projected community organisation.

“The Drill Hall would be transferred to a community organisation from Monmouthshire County Council and then we would receive up to £800,000 for capital works for example buildings,” added Cllr Heywood.

“And up to £300,000 in revenue for the next five years.

Despite support for the project at the meeting, concerns were raised about communication on the proposals as well as parking matters in a congested area.

Peter Farley, the former Chepstow St Mary’s councillor, called for the committee to be more open with the public regarding the proposals.

“I do support the idea of an arts facility – there’s absolutely no doubt about that,” he said.

“I think that you would be wise, if I may say so, to pledge now to be moving from the outset toward a broader, more participatory base.

“That appears to be the main issue – not the content. It’s the transparency of the management.”

Hilary Beach, a resident of Chepstow and town councillor, said that there had been a lack of discourse on the project to those living in the area.

“I am a resident of St Mary’s ward and I haven’t been consulted about the Drill Hill,” she said.

“I haven’t in my personal capacity as a resident – I have not been consulted.

“Even on the town council, I don’t think we’ve had very much of an opportunity to really look at the issues.”

Cllr Beach added that as the centre is for the benefit for the entire population of the town, an outside body should be used to lead on any consultations.

“If this is a centre for all the people of Chepstow, that includes the young people in Bulwark and Thornwell as well – not just the people around here,” she said.

“I’m not saying it should not be an arts centre but I think a consultation – actually you would get away from some of the criticism if actually the consultation was done by an independent organisation.”