A GROUP trying to build a ‘dynamic’ arts centre in Blandford say they will seek outline planning permission after a successful exhibition.
The DT11 Partnership said that now it has the support of the town council and the public it will move ahead with the 175-seat ‘Fording Point’.
The partnership is made up of more than 40 local groups and organisations and hopes to build the venue near the Victorian Garden.
The centre has a projected cost of £718,000 and a 2013 opening date.
It would have a mix of films, visiting theatre groups, comedians, dancers, musicians and performers ‘of the broadest spectrum’.
The Partnership hopes it will combine with the town’s Victoria Garden and museum to create a historic arts quarter.
Blandford does not have an arts centre, unlike other Dorset towns of a similar size like Bridport, Shaftesbury, Wimborne and Wareham.
Blandford Town Council gave approval to the Fording Point project at its September meeting but said it could not give financial support, only research help.
The Partnership said that its scheme would not work inside the regenerated Corn Exchange, once that is complete, partly because of the acoustics, but it does believe the two schemes could co-exist.
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