Walkford music charity Coda launches campaign to help fund £750,000 renovation of barn into exhibition space

WALKFORD music charity Coda is celebrating winning permission to transform a redundant barn into an exhibition space – but must now raise more than £400,000 to make it happen.

BCP Council planners gave the charity the go-ahead to complete the work at its Chewton Farm Road site, which will include creating seven independent studio spaces, a cafe and a music workshop room.

Coda chief executive Phil Hallett said he was “absolutely delighted” the renovation works have been approved and immediately launched a crowdfunding campaign towards the project’s total cost of £750,000.

Mr Hallett told the A&T: “It’s fantastic to receive the support from BCP Council for this much-needed facility, which will transform our old stable block into learning, workshop, rehearsal and exhibition spaces.

“The development will be the culmination of many years’ work and responds to the needs of everyone in the community.

“We hope to start work early in 2023 and complete the development by the end of the year.

“It’s estimated we will need £750,000 for the development and have already received £340,000 from Arts Council England’s capital investment programme.

“This was one of only 20 awards granted by the arts council this year, plus we have received support from Talbot Village Trust, New Forest District Council and from individual donations.

“We currently have a Crowdfunder appeal running specifically for a creative wellbeing studio, which will be part of the development.

“We still need more help, so we welcome any support.”

An officer’s report for BCP planners said the renovation project will provide for a revised access road plus a new car parking layout, landscaping and landscapingand a bat roost and nesting for swallows.

The report added the currently unused barn is “in need of urgent attention, with sections of the roof beginning to fail, with gaps beginning to appear in the slate roof covering”.

BCP Council granted Coda’s application on the conditions that work begins within the next three years and that any repointing of the existing brickwork or repairs to lime finishing be carried out in materials “to match the existing, utilising the appropriate lime mix”.

To donate to the project, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/p/codas-creative-well-being-studio