THERE are plans to replace the roof of a community centre in Ellesmere Port which is home to a men’s mental health charity.

Overpool Community Centre, on Rivacre Road, was acquired by The Port Men in Sheds under the Cheshire West and Chester Community Asset Transfer Programme in January this year.

The charity helps men to fight isolation through group activities, such as woodwork. However, the building had lain empty for several years before the charity moved in and plans have now been lodged to replace its faltering roof.

The proposals would mean a new waterproof membrane, insulation and a slight height adjustment to two of the buildings’ lower roofs to accommodate the insulation.

Within the planning application, the charity says: “The OCC has lain empty for several years and the roof has fallen into a state of disrepair such that full replacement of the covering waterproof membranes (currently bitumen and felt to be replaced with proprietary rubber membranes) is required.

“The OCC existing roof structure consists of 5 discrete flat roof sections of varying height all bounded by parapets. Being of early 60's and 70's construction NO insulation in the flat roof structures currently exists. In agreement with current building regulations it is therefore planned to incorporate 150mm insulation boards to bring the thermal efficiency of all roofing sections to 0.18W/m2K.

“Unfortunately, the existing parapet height of the two lower flat roofing sections do not allow for the increased height of the insulation boards and as such it is required to increase the wall and parapet height by 3 brick courses (160mm - 180mm).

“Three other existing flat roof sections are between 1.2 and 3m higher in elevation to the two lower roofing sections and require no brickwork adjustment; therefore the overall height of the Overpool Community Centre remains unchanged.”

The Port Men in Sheds is run entirely by volunteers and supports men aged 18-98 years old who may be suffering with bereavement, physical or mental illness, isolation and loneliness or missing the camaraderie of the workplace.

For more information about the charity, visit The Port Men in Sheds Facebook page.