Planning application submitted for £25m Trowbridge leisure centre

On Wednesday, September 11 the council formally submitted a planning application to build the centre on its East Wing site opposite County Hall.

It says its vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of residents with top-class facilities while having a wider positive economic impact on the town.  

As previously confirmed, the new facility would contain a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, 7m x 13m learner pool, gym with 120 exercise stations, two studios, immersive spin studio, community meeting room and café.

The centre will also have an adventure play providing activities for young people in the form of TAGactive, with the main target age group being those 12 to 16 years, and a Live Well suite providing a dedicated space for older people to exercise.

READ MORE: £25m leisure centre plans unveiled to Trowbridge residents

An artist's impression of the £25m new Trowbridge Leisure Centre. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Subject to planning permission, it is expected that construction of the new centre will commence in 2025.  

At this stage, the council said it cannot confirm when the centre will open.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for leisure and public health, said: “This is huge milestone for this project, and I thank everyone for their recent feedback which has helped us to get to this stage and inform our plans.

“I was at many of the recent drop-in sessions and the people I spoke to were very excited about our plans and vision for the overall project.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling at East Wing site where it is proposed the new Trowbridge Leisure Centre will be built. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

“It was also very useful to get some constructive challenges on some of our proposals and where possible we’ve tried to address those as part of this planning application.

“If planning consent is granted, this investment will provide a modern impressive energy efficient facility that will have health and wellbeing right at its heart but will also play a key role in linking that area of Trowbridge to the centre of town, improving the overall offer of our county town.  

“I’d encourage as many people as possible to take a look at the plans as this is another opportunity to provide feedback which will continue to help inform this important and exciting project.”

Around 700 people attended drop-in sessions held throughout Trowbridge during June, and those the Wiltshire Times spoke to gave a ‘thumbs up’ to the designs for the new centre.

In addition, 692 people gave feedback on an online survey that ended in July.

The council said feedback for the survey and drop-in sessions was overwhelmingly positive about the project and proposals.

Dan Webb, programme officer with Wiltshire Council, outlines the plans to Lesley Dawe at a drop-in session at The Shires shopping centre in June. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Lesley Dawe, 69, from Hilperton, previously said: “I think it’s a good idea because we need something like this in the centre of Trowbridge for everybody.

“For me, it is ideal because I live just across the way and I like swimming.”

Husband and wife Stephen and Gail Osmond, from Paxcroft in Trowbridge, were also impressed by the plans.

Gail, 59, told the Times: “I think it is brilliant. It is good.”

While Steve, 65, added: “I am planning to retire this year or next year, so maybe I will sign up for membership.”

Following previous extensive consultation and a review of a wide range of evidence and data the new leisure centre facilities will not include diving facilities, a sports hall, or squash courts.

It is anticipated that the dry side elements of Trowbridge Sports Centre will stay at the Clarendon site in Frome Road, 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 next to the academy school site.

A decision should be made on the application by Tuesday, December 10.