A run down ex-mining town in South Wales has risen up against government cuts to gain funding for a £792,000 community centre. Seven years of campaigning for state backing were stumped by widespread government spending cuts and the town turned to Spacehive.com which acts as an online platform for individuals, businesses and organisations to donate money to deserving building schemes.

Founder of Spacehive.com (which was co-designed by Deloitte) Chris Gourlay, explains: “This isn’t about privatising planning. The state mustn’t shrink from its responsibilities. It’s just an approach that allows communities to cut through the inertia and make popular projects happen. We think town planning should be faster, more people-powered, and more fun.”

With the final donation of £12,000 bestowed by Tesco Charity Trust, the Glyncoch Community Centre now has the appropriate backing to progress. Local businesses and corporate enterprises will run a series of training programmes from the centre to encourage young people to push themselves and reverse the high unemployment rate in the area. There will also be IT facilities, a games room, cheer-leading classes, Taekwondo, fitness programmes and sporting amenities.