Berryfield villagers will finally get to celebrate the opening of their new £500,000 village hall in the new year.

Members of the Berryfield Village Hall Trust Committee and Melksham Without Parish Council have pencilled in the date for the grand opening of the new facility in Telford Drive on January 21 from 12-3pm.

It was built on land provided by Bristol-based Bellway, the developers of the new Bowood housing estate on the Semington Road, to serve the local community.

Plans were first lodged with Wiltshire Council in May 2020 and have taken more than two years to reach completion.

Parish clerk Teresa Strange said it would provide a permanent venue for the existing community, coupled with a “fantastic opportunity” to provide facilities for those moving into the new housing development.

The parish council hopes it will provide “a lasting legacy” of a permanent, purpose-built, sustainable venue for all to use and enjoy for years to come.

Wiltshire planners have imposed some conditions on the hall's use, including opening hours of 8am to 10pm except when it being used as a polling station for local and general elections.