Agenda item

Recommendation:  Conditional Approval.

Proposal: Full application for the proposed erection of replacement leisure centre that includes a 6-lane swimming pool and teaching pool (with moveable floor), 75no. unit gymnasium, 4no. court sports hall, 2no. studios, ancillary cafe, parking, access and landscaping along with the provision of an extension to the existing Bulmershe School car park; following the demolition of the existing leisure centre and caretaker house.

Applicant: Wokingham Borough Council

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 17 to 46. 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·         Clarification regarding the prior approval application that allowed for demolition works to commence;

·         Clarification regarding the number of full and part time staff;

·         Correction to the height of the two storey section of the development;

·         An amendment to Condition 10;

·         Mark Croucher, Case Officer, suggested that an additional condition regarding sustainability and renewable energy source usage be added.

Keith Baker, Woodley Town Council, spoke in favour of the application. He stated that the Town Council was pleased to see proposals for a modern leisure facility which could be used by the community. He added that there had been a cooperative approach between the Town and Borough Council in order to bring the leisure centre up to standard. Keith stated that the proposals for a refurbishment and rebuild of the Bulmershe leisure centre had been ongoing since 2014 and that the application would deliver to the needs and aspirations of the residents and community. He added that the proposed development would be a significant improvement to the existing leisure facility and would promote healthy living for its surrounding residents, facilities for the nearby schools and would improve the character and appearance of the area. He strongly urged the Committee to approve the application.

Norman Jorgensen, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in favour of the application. He stated that the existing facility had been degrading over time and that it was not economically viable to upgrade the existing facility and therefore a total rebuild was required. He added that the proposed development would significantly improve on the services provided by the current facility. Norman stated that Bulmershe School would be granted access to the pool and sports hall during term time between 9am and 5pm, with a 2 to 3 hour restriction on the swimming pool access to allow the general public time to use the facilities. Norman stated that the aim of the new facility would be that it would see increased use by the public (compared to the existing centre) and would encourage healthy living to the community. He added that the proposed development would be in line with the Council’s 21^st Century leisure strategy. Norman stated that the income generated by the leisure centre would exceed the costs of the development as it would be heavily used by the residents and the community.

A statement in favour of the application from Ward Member Shahid Younis was read out by Tim Holton in Shahid’s absence. He stated that the proposed application would be an improvement to the existing facility and would help to promote healthy living amongst the local residents and community. He added that the proposed application would be in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area. Shahid stated that the new on site café would act as a community hub. He added that he was pleased that local schools would be able to use the new facilities. He stated that the proposed development would add more parking than the existing development provided and would also provide charging bays.

In response to Member queries regarding car parking Chris Easton, Service Manager – Highways Development, stated that the parking provision had been based on a trip rate accumulation survey. He added that the red line boundary had been altered for the Addington School and that a car parking management strategy would be secured via condition. Chris added that the peak time usage of the leisure facility and the surround schools were unlikely to clash.

Wayne Smith stated that the accumulative parking (made up of the proposed parking at the leisure centre and the parking agreement with the Bulmershe and Addington School’s) more than met the peak time parking requirements at the leisure centre. He thanked Mark Croucher for his concise and informative presentation and stated that the redevelopment of the Bulmershe Leisure Centre was long overdue as the current building was an ‘eyesore’ on its surroundings.

Mark Croucher reiterated his suggestion for an additional condition requiring the leisure centre to generate ten percent of its energy from low carbon renewable sources.

RESOLVED: That application 180828 be approved subject to the conditions set out in Agenda pages 27 to 32, amended condition 10 in the Members’ Update and the condition of compliance to the energy and sustainability statement.