GOOSTREY Scouts have been overwhelmed by public support for a scheme for a new Scout hut and youth centre.

1st Goostrey Scouts caters for more than 110 boys and girls, but the sections do not have a permanent base and rent space in a church hall or a small sports pavilion.

Neither of the spaces is large enough, and equipment has to be stored at different locations throughout the village and brought by car to each meeting.

Goostrey Scouts and Goostrey Parish Council are proposing to work together to provide a permanent facility in Main Road, Goostrey.

Goostrey Scouts will own the building but will make it available to other youth groups including, but not restricted to, the various Girlguiding groups.

The plot of land earmarked for the scheme, the site of the old village hall, is owned by the parish council, and the plan is for the council to gift half of the site to Goostrey Scouts, which will build and manage a combined Scout hut and youth facility on the site.

David Giles, the Group Scout Leader of 1st Goostrey Scouts, said an unprecedented level of public support had been expressed to Cheshire East Council for the planning application for the Scout hut and youth centre.

“I am overwhelmed that more than 200 messages of support have been sent to Cheshire East planners by members of the local community for our proposal on the site of the derelict youth centre,” said Mr Giles.

“Providing the parish council gives us half the site we can fundraise for the costs of constructing the building – and I ask local people and companies to come forward to help and offer their skills.”

The deadline for comments on the scheme was September 24, and a decision on the planning application is due to be made, under delegated authority, by October 23.

Residents supporting the plans say a new youth facility in the centre of the village has been long needed, and the new Scout hut and youth centre would be an asset for the community and would benefit local children and young people.