A THEATRE guild is being rehoused as part of plans for a new £3 million community arts facility.

Last week the Gravesend Messenger reported exclusively how the Gravesend and District Theatre Guild’s current premises in Vale Road, Gravesend could be at risk, after the council announced its intentions to sell the land so that a super surgery could be built there.

Now Gravesham Borough Council has revealed it does have plans to move the guild to a brand new facility in Woodlands Park, along with Gravesham Arts Council.

The Arts Council is currently based at the St Andrew’s Arts Centre in Royal Pier Road.

Central to the scheme is a 120-seat theatre which would replace the theatre guild’s existing 74-seat building with improved stage and rehearsal facilities and a better foyer.

Bob Shepherd, premises manager for the guild, said: "It’s still very early days, and could take years before it’s up and running, but we’re very keen on the idea. It would help us expand and the new location would be great."

Kent Architecture Centre has drawn up a series of design options for the Woodlands Park site in Wrotham Road, which involve demolishing the disused pavilion and toilets and moving the children’s playground and two tennis courts.

The site of the existing buildings is in the north west corner of the 15 acre (6.1 hectares) park and the new project will not encroach on the main parkland.

The council will now seek contributions from the lottery and other arts bodies.

The new facility would also include a day nursery, cafe, public toilets and car parking.

Council leader Cllr Mike Snelling said: "This is early days but the project is impressive and gives us the chance to upgrade one of the borough’s most popular parks, it is an opportunity not to be missed. We will be pressing very hard to raise the money to move this scheme forward."