WORK has officially started on a long-awaited new village hall for Marcham.

It forms part of a major scheme for the village, near Abingdon, which was approved in April 2017.

Developer Thomas Homes will also build 10 houses, three flats, a multi-use games area, three sports pitches, a play area and nursery.

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The project was delayed in December due to problems getting a temporary electricity supply to the site. Now Marcham Community Group , in an update via newsletter Marcham and District News, has said work is underway at the Morland Road site.

The community has been without a village hall since the Anson Institute closed almost 15 years ago. Thomas Homes has been working with local charity the Anson Trust on the development since 2015, which will transform the previous village hall and nearby field at Morland Road.

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The building and land are owned by the trust but it was forced to close the community hub in September 2004 due to running out of the funds needed to keep it open.

Since then the trust has been trying to use its remaining assets, the Anson Institute and playing field, to create new facilities for the village. The hall is expected to be complete by the summer.