Winchester Sport and Leisure Park Recommended for Planning Approval

— Nov 5, 2018, 9:27:14 AM by Charlotte King

LA architects with fellow consultants Arup, Hoare Lea and Partners, BDP and Mace Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors have taken a major step forward in the delivery of a new Sport and Leisure Centre in Winchester. The Planning Consultants are Stride Treglown.

The new complex, that encompasses the existing athletics stadium and park, was recommended for approval by the Planning Committee on 31st October. The Committee will formally issue approval over the coming weeks.   

Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Lisa Griffiths said:

“This is absolutely fantastic news and I am really delighted that the project has been granted planning approval. This outcome reflects all of the effort and work that has gone into our thorough and inclusive engagement and resulting high-quality design.”

The Sport and Leisure main building will comprise a modern, well-designed, fully accessible building, set in a park setting that will enable the District’s communities to engage in a wide range of indoor and outdoor sporting and leisure activities. 

Within the Centre, there will be a wide range of new facilities such as a 50m swimming pool, as well as a teaching pool and splash area for beginners.  It will also include an 8 court multi-use sports hall, various studios, squash courts as well as a hydrotherapy suite with a pool that can be used to treat people with a wide range of disabilities and injuries.  

The building has been designed to provide a high level of sustainability and will be seen as a gateway into the historic City of Winchester. Work is programmed to start on site in Spring 2019.

Mike Lawless, Director of LA architects, said:

“As the Architects and Lead Consultant on this project, LA architects is delighted that the Winchester Sport & Leisure Centre has passed this key planning milestone. The journey from the start has been one of engagement and dialogue with the people of the Winchester District in the development of the design that will now move forward. We will continue to develop a high-quality, elegant and sophisticated sports and leisure park for all people, and one that encourages as many forms of activity and social interaction as possible.”