Worden Hall consultation exercise extended due to popular demand

The South Ribble Borough Council consultation with residents over the future of the iconic Worden Hall (in Worden Park, Leyland) has been extended due to popular demand.

Not wishing for anyone’s views to be missed off, the council took the decision yesterday to extend the consultation exercise until Monday 16 September – allowing for seven more days of feedback.

This will include an additional drop-in event to be held at the Derby Wing of Worden Hall – this will take place from 2pm until 7pm on Thursday 12 September.

Residents are encouraged to attend the event and speak with council officers, elected members and architects about the various options that present themselves for the future of Worden Hall.

The response so far – since the start of the consultation on Monday 19 August – has been very positive, with hundreds of people completing online and paper feedback forms.

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Assets, said: “I am delighted by the volume of responses we are receiving and would like to thank everyone for taking part in this crucial consultation.

“However, we are extending the deadline for two reasons: firstly, to make sure that nobody misses out on having their say, because everybody’s opinions are vitally important to getting this right; and secondly, to allow for more people to attend a fourth and final drop-in event to come and scrutinise the proposals but also see the hall in all its glory and understand the sheer potential it holds.

“Before the council takes any decision, we want as much feedback as possible – and extending the deadline is the right step to take to ensure a thorough, fair, and inclusive process.

“I urge people to come down to Worden Hall between 2pm and 7pm on Thursday 12 September or complete the consultation survey online at southribble.gov.uk/wordenhall.”

There are currently three possible plans for Worden Hall which residents are asked to scrutinise.

However, the council wants to reiterate that none of the three plans would result in any closure of the park, or part of the park, nor restrict public access. The park will remain as open to the public as ever.

Councillor Tomlinson added: “Residents are being very supportive of our plans to reopen Worden Hall – something which we have been promising for a while now.

“The Hall is a vital part of Leyland’s history and identity, so we are excited about the prospect of seeing it up and running once more.

“Even more positive for us is the fact that the people of South Ribble will have had a huge input into steering its future.”