COMMUNITY groups are to benefit from extra space at the new Wood Farm School and Community Centre development, it has been revealed.

A £125,000 cash injection from Oxford City Council will be used to increase floor space for a range of groups and organisations as part of the £11m project.

The news comes after it was revealed Wood Farm Parent and Toddler Group, previously based at the existing community centre, had been saved from closure.

City councillor Joe McManners said the whole community would benefit from the extra money.

He said: “There are lots of community groups who use the centre, and making it bigger for them is great news.

“People often say that Wood Farm is the ‘forgotten estate’ and this money should go some way to showing that is not the case.

“The whole development will be state-of-the-art, and it’s really exciting for people around here who will have it on their doorstep.”

Final details about the development are still being negotiated with Oxfordshire County Council, which is behind the project.

Demolition work will soon start on rebuilding the centre in Titup Hall Drive, as part of the redevelopment of Wood Farm Primary School.

The work is expected to cost £11.5m and will be funded as part of the Government’s primary capital programme. It will eventually provide 12 classrooms on site for Key Stage One and Two pupils, and rooms for foundation stage pupils.

Manager Belinda House feared the toddler group would have to close after 14 years when work started on the community centre, where it was previously based.

But, at the last minute, room was found for the 180 members at the next-door youth club.

The group hopes to move back to the community centre when the development is completed.

Writing on the Save Wood Farm Parent and Toddler Group campaign page on Facebook, Ms House said: “We’ve had a brilliant week in our new home.

“I have had 95 people attend during the four mornings, the most I have ever had during my seven years of running it.

“Thanks to all the lovely people that attend, you know who you are, and also thanks for all your support and help. It has been great.”