New Trowbridge leisure centre gets planning permission

The application was given the green light, subject to conditions, by the Strategic Planning Committee on 11 December. Now that planning permission has been granted, a report will be presented to Cabinet early next year and they will be asked to consider the final plans. Construction partners can then be confirmed, and it is then expected that construction work will begin in 2025.  

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Health said: This is a significant moment for this project, and I'd like to thank all the officers, contractors, stakeholders and public for their hard work and diligence in getting us to this stage. I'd also like to thank everyone who took the time to comment and respond to the survey or attend one of the drop-in sessions, helping us to shape our plans.

Our vision is to deliver a modern, impressive, energy efficient facility that will have health and wellbeing right at its heart and play a key role in linking that area of Trowbridge to the centre of town, improving what our county town has to offer. We are looking forward to seeing that vision start to become a reality in 2025.  

The successful planning process followed a period of engagement that saw several well attended drop-in sessions taking place for people to find out more information, and a survey to provide feedback on the plans. Around 700 people attended the drop-in sessions held throughout the town during June, and 692 people responded to the survey.   

Throughout this project, the council has been working closely with internal and external colleagues with the shared goal of optimising the quality of the new leisure centre. The scheme was independently reviewed by design and placemaking experts Design West, as part of a design review process, which provided the council with valuable feedback and made suggestions for improvements.  

The leisure centre will be constructed using high-quality, robust materials, with glazed facades and a prominent entrance to welcome visitors. The modern design will have a strong industrial aesthetic that reflects the heritage of Trowbridge. Internally, accessibility has been put at the heart of the design plans.  

To support the council's target of being carbon neutral by 2030, the project has been designed with a fabric first approach to ensure it will be as energy efficient as possible. Solar panels will be installed on available roof space, helping to power the all-electric building. This will be further supported by the external landscaping that will create a green island in Trowbridge with walking, cycling and wheeling travel routes woven in.  

It is proposed that the new facility will contain the following:     

• A six-lane, 25m swimming pool     
• 7m x 13m learner pool     
• Gym with 120 exercise stations     
• Two studios     
• Immersive spin studio    
• Community meeting room     
• Café     
• Adventure play - providing activities for young people in the form of TAGactive (main target age group 12-16yrs)  
• Live well suite - providing a dedicated space for older people to exercise    

Following previous extensive consultation and a review of a wide range of evidence and data, the new leisure centre facility does not include diving facilities, sports hall, or squash courts. It is anticipated that the dry side elements of Trowbridge Sports Centre (at Clarendon) would be retained there, including the sports hall, small hall and squash courts. Wiltshire Council is in discussion with Acorn Education Trust regarding the existing facilities at Trowbridge Sports Centre.   

More information about the plans can be found at https://new-trowbridge-leisure-centre.co.uk/ (opens new window).   

A replay of the Strategic Planning Committee can be found at Meeting - Democratic Services - Wiltshire Council (opens new window).