Milestone reached as planning application for Stowmarket sport, health & wellbeing, education, and leisure facilities submitted
A full planning application for new Stowmarket sport, health & wellbeing, education, and leisure facilities has been submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council.
The aim of the new facility is to bring together a range of community services which will include facilities for health and wellbeing increased sport and leisure activities with education spaces. The site will be available for use by the local people, sports groups, and clubs as well as schools.
The planning application was developed using feedback gathered at public events and online over several months in summer 2022.
The site is designed to be flexible to accommodate a range of sports including football, basketball, badminton, cricket, rugby, and volleyball across both indoor and outdoor spaces. There will also be an all-weather track, a multi-use games area and a new multi-sports pavilion.
The health and wellbeing hub will include spaces for a range of community health services and family activities.
Dave Lee-Allan, headteacher, Stowmarket High School commented:
“I am delighted that we have reached this major milestone with the submission of the planning application. The opportunities for students and the local community to access a range of sports and wellbeing facilities will be vastly improved and will benefit local people for many years to come.”
The planning application includes two parcels of land in the northwest of Stowmarket, including land surrounding Stowmarket High School and Chilton Fields.
Tony Bush, head of operations, Active Suffolk commented:
“The new sport and leisure facilities for Stowmarket will open up opportunities for clubs to develop while encouraging more people to get active. The process up to this point has allowed many people to share their views and I am pleased that much of the feedback has helped shape this planning application.”
The planning application has been developed in partnership with key stakeholders including Suffolk County Council, Stowmarket Town Council, Stowmarket High School and other local primary schools, Stowmarket leisure centre, West Suffolk Alliance, Integrated Care Board, Active Suffolk, local sports clubs and Sport England, alongside ward councillors.
Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds commented:
“When we drew this project together it was because people in Stowmarket had told us they wanted to see more leisure facilities and opportunities in the town. I am pleased that partnership working has got us to this point of submitting planning, with voices representing health, sport and the community helping to create the facilities for the future.”
The planning application (Ref DC/23/01323) is available to view and for comments via the online planning portal.