After a few "nail-biting" months, work has begun on new community centre in the heart of the Golden Triangle.

The dilapidated and mouldy Scout hut on Jessopp Road will soon be replaced by a modern facility.

Andrew Parle, head volunteer for the 33rd Scout group, said: "We are absolutely over the moon to be starting the work.

The diggers have moved in to the Jessopp Road siteThe diggers have moved in to the Jessopp Road site (Image: 33rd Norwich Scout Group) "We have had the most fantastic support from the community and I can’t thank them enough.

"Our contractors Reeve TM Browne have been brilliant too, and all the volunteers who have helped behind the scenes are just the best.

"The centre will provide that much-needed accessible and well-equipped space for our young people through the Scouts, and it will be available to hire for the whole community too.  

"I hope our story will inspire others to keep going even when things look tough. When we all pull together we can do great things."

Andrew Parle, head volunteer at the Scout groupAndrew Parle, head volunteer at the Scout group (Image: Denise Bradley) The Scout hut project became a possibility in 2023 when a £877,000 grant was secured by the Scout group from the government's Youth Investment Fund.

But a £133,000 shortfall due to rising construction costs threw the future of the new community centre into jeopardy. 

The 33rd Norwich Scouts only had two weeks to raise the funds.

The ground is being prepared for the huge new community centreThe ground is being prepared for the huge new community centre (Image: 33rd Norwich Scout Group) Through their fundraising efforts and some creative thinking, the centre is now going ahead.

The building will be completed in two phases. The first has just begun and will use the £877,000 from the Youth Investment Fund.

READ MORE: City Scouts group looking for a 'miracle' to save new hut

It’s hoped this stage will be completed by Easter 2025.

The old hut was no longer fit for purposeThe old hut was no longer fit for purpose (Image: Denise Bradley) Phase two will see the addition of a meeting space, wet room for enhanced accessibility and larger kitchen.

The shortfall is being met from a mixture of grants and a crowd-funding campaign, with £100,000 already raised.

It's hoped the whole project will be complete by the summer of next year.