Go ahead given for new leisure centre building in Houghton Regis
6 Jul 2022
A new leisure centre for Houghton Regis was given planning permission, today, during a Development Management Committee meeting at Central Bedfordshire Council.
The application(
*) did not include a hall for large-scale sports, although it did include landscaping and 236 parking spaces, 52 cycle parking spaces, demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new facility to include an
eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool,
a dedicated learner pool,
a confidence pool,
a fitness suite, an
exercise studio and
two squash courts.
The site is in close proximity to bus stops.
Within the building will be a café, a community space, a creche, a children’s outdoor play-zone, and an outdoor fitness trail and public area. The project benefits from a £20m Government Levelling Up Fund grant toward the £25m project.
The leisure centre will be located on the site of the existing secondary school and, as a result, approving this application will result in allowing the demolition of the existing secondary school. The construction of a replacement secondary school is already underway.
The application site will be accessed via existing access, which runs through the Kingsland Campus site from Parkside Drive. In addition to this vehicular access, three new pedestrian access points would be provided. Two of the pedestrian access points would be provided along Sundon Road, whilst another would be provided along Parkside Drive. The site would also allow access to the wider Kingsland site to the south and east.
The proposed hours of use are
Monday to Friday: 06:30 – 22:00,
Saturday: 08:00 – 18:30,
Sundays: 08:00 – 19:00.
Construction is expected to start in autumn 2022 and the new centre will be open in 2024.
The existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre will remain open until the new centre is complete to ensure residents have continuous access to leisure provision.
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New Leisure Centre update: CBC say a new sports hall would be "an over provision"
10 May 2022
A plan to build a new £ 25 million community and leisure centre in Houghton Regis is taking its next step.
Feedback from the recent consultation has helped them to refine the planning application which will now be submitted, providing another opportunity for people to comment on those detailed plans.
The consultation showed strong public support for this modern leisure and community centre and the improved facilities that will be provided. 179 people responded to the consultation survey and many more took the opportunity to take part in the engagement events.
70% of respondents agreed that the proposed centre will improve the leisure and community provision for residents in Houghton Regis. 20% of people disagreed, with 10% of respondents undecided.
The new facility includes an eight-lane 25 metre community swimming pool, which is more than double the size of the pool at the existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. There will be a dedicated learner pool with a movable floor to raise or lower the depth for swimming lessons and other activities and a separate splash pool. This is all part of an enhanced swimming experience.
A large, state-of-the-art, fitness suite and flexible exercise studios will provide dedicated spaces for a range of different classes and community activities. Two squash courts will also feature in a great package of leisure facilities.
Plans include a cafe, community space, a creche, Changing Place provision to support people with disabilities, a children’s outdoor play area, and an outdoor fitness trail.
Enhanced landscaping and planting will surround the centre, with improved walking and cycling routes across the Kingsland Campus linking to the new Houstone School and its provision of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, and the wider community.
Car parking, cycle parking and bus drop-off areas are all included in the plan designed to support the needs of a growing Houghton Regis community.
There was some feedback in the consultation about the plans around sports hall provision. CBC has carefully considered this feedback. Providing another new sports hall as part of the leisure centre so close to the neighbouring school sports hall would mean an over provision of such facilities resulting in both halls being underused.
A formal agreement with Houstone School will mean the local community can tap into the exceptional modern sports facilities being built there.
CBC is considering alternative provisions for the small number of existing sports hall users that would be affected. CBC are confident they can find alternative provision to meet their requirements either inside the new leisure centre, at the new Houstone school or at the nearby Dunstable Centre.
The plan will now be subject to a planning consultation and will be considered by the Development Management Committee in July this year.
Cllr Tracey Stock, CBC Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing and Communities, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to build a fantastic new leisure and community facility for Houghton Regis. The much bigger, new centre will transform the leisure provision by offering superior facilities for residents.
“When you combine the new leisure centre with what is available at the school, it offers a comprehensive package of the very latest sports and leisure facilities.”
The plan will now be subject to a planning consultation and will be considered by the Development Management Committee in July this year.
Subject to planning approval, construction would start in winter 2022 and be complete in summer 2024. The existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre would remain open throughout the works.
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Time to Have Your Say on the Proposed New Houghton Regis Leisure Centre
19 Jan 2022
Consultation opened: Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Consultation closes: Wednesday, 16 February 2022
Central Bedfordshire Council is asking residents to look through detailed information on a new community facility at Kingsland, Parkside, Houghton Regis and to provide their opinions by answering questions and leaving comments on an online feedback form. Residents can also make suggestions for a name for the new facility.
A consultation and engagement event will take place on:
Saturday 29th January between 11 am and 4 pm in Bedford Square close to the community library.
The event will allow residents to meet members of the project team, look at the plans, ask questions and provide feedback.
Given the ongoing pandemic, the event will be in the concourse to enable better ventilation and will observe the latest COVID-19 guidance. People planning to visit are kindly asked to take a lateral flow test beforehand and not to attend if they have any symptoms. Face masks should be worn and social distancing arrangements will be observed where possible.
Further ongoing community engagement will follow to keep residents informed about the plans and progress.
LIVE ONLINE WEBINARS
Two live online webinars are also planned where people can hear from the project team and ask questions from the comfort of their homes. These will take place on:
Thursday, 27th January from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm
Monday, 31st January from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm
Further information on how to attend these webinars is available here.
Subject to planning approval, the construction of the new community and leisure centre will start later in 2022 once Houghton Regis Academy, the proposed site, is closed at the end of the summer school term. The new Houstone school is due to open in autumn 2022.
The leisure and community building will open in 2024 to meet the timeframes and funding criteria set by the government.
The new facility will replace the old Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. However, to ensure continuous leisure provision is available for residents, the existing centre will stay open until the new centre is complete. At this point, residents will benefit from the modern sports and community facilities at the new centre and also at Houstone School.
When built it is expected to include:
- an eight-lane, 25-metre, community swimming pool, which is more than double the size of the pool at the existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre, complete with spectator seating
- a 16-metre by 10-metre learner pool with a movable floor to raise or lower the depth for swimming lessons and other activities
- a separate, shallow pool, often called ‘confidence water’ and changing village completes a comprehensive swimming experience
- 2 squash courts
- a large, 151 station, fitness suite (gym)
- 2 multi-use studios for a range of classes and activities
- a spinning bike studio
- community space
- a spacious reception and foyer area creating a vibrant social hub
- Changing Places facilities on both floors
- a Pool Pod access system and Oxford Dipper hoist to provide access into the main pool and learner pool
- contrasting colours throughout to help visually impaired visitors
- a creche
- a café
- a children’s outdoor play zone
- an outdoor fitness trail to provide another opportunity for exercise
- enjoyable outside public areas and seating
- enhanced landscaping and planting
- improved walking and cycling routes linking to the new school and communities
- a 238-space car park, plus motorcycle parking, consisting of 199 standard bays, 24 electric vehicle charging bays, 13 accessible parking bays close to the entrance and 2 spaces for minibuses
- cycle parking, drop-off areas and good access to buses and public transport
- extensive lighting and CCTV to help make the site safe and secure
- All of the plans will meet the latest industry standards and Sport England guidelines.
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CBC Applies for Permission to Build a Leisure Centre in Houghton Regis
22 Dec 2021
Plans have been submitted for, “Development of a new leisure centre, incorporating landscaping and parking provisions. Demolition of the existing [school] building and the construction of a new facility to include an eight-lane 25-metre community swimming pool, dedicated learner pool, confidence pool, fitness suite, exercise studio and two squash courts. Building to include a café, community space, creche, children's outdoor play zone and an outdoor fitness trail and public area.”
Application Type: Regulation 3
Date Received: 16 / 12 / 2021
Registration (Validation) Date: 17 / 12 / 2021
Consultation Start Date: 17 / 12 / 2021
Earliest Decision Date (Consultation Period Expires): No date
Target Date for Decision: 18 / 03 / 2022
Case number: CB/21/05575/REG3
This application outlines the work to be undertaken on behalf of Central Bedfordshire. According to the Design and Access Statement, members of the design team have been working on this design between late 2020 and October 2021.
Design Principles
• Tactile and understated elevations.
• Prominent entrance and approach.
• Functional and robust external public space.
• A clear sense of scale to and mass within the wider context.
• Areas of transparency on the façade, maximising views in and out, openings with scale and impact.
• Refined material palette that complements the proposal, the site and context.
• The formation of a central core space, a hub of activity and movement to act as the heart of the building with views into key spaces such as pool hall.
• Legibility - good wayfinding relationships of internal spaces.
• A layout that responds to the requirements of commercially effective operating principles.
• Integrated and cohesive public facilities.
• Significantly improved sustainability.
• Natural light and surrounding views maximised.
• Design durability and versatility.
• Materiality of the ‘key’ facade blends the building within its setting whilst maintaining a contemporary feel.
The Site
The frontage of the site will be to Sundon Road and Parkside Drive.
Bus Stops
The site will be served by existing or planned bus stops.
Inside - Ground Floor
The proposals for the ground floor include an open café / foyer space, the central control and reception area, Pool Hall with 25m 8 lane main pool alongside a learner pool, confidence water and spectator seating.
Inside - 1st Floor
First floor will include a fitness suite with views to hub and Cafe into the pool hall, a spin studio, squash courts, multi-use studio for dance and aerobics etc., and creche.
The roof will include solar panels.
Much of the area presently occupied by the academy will be landscaped. About half of the present academy playing field will be given over to parking.
A scrub area to the NE of the site will remain undeveloped.
To find out more about the plans
go to this link on the CBC planning portal and search for the plan number CB/21/05575/REG3
- 23 Dec 2021 - To make a public comment on the CBC Planning Portal go to this link
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£25 million new development lined up for Houghton Regis
8 Dec 2021
A stunning new centre, with superb leisure and community facilities, is on the cards for Houghton Regis residents.
Central Bedfordshire Council Executive has rubber-stamped the project which benefits from nearly £20 million of government Levelling Up funding announced at the end of October 2021. The decision allows the project to progress to community engagement and consultation and the formal planning process.
Residents can look forward to an eight-lane 25-metre community swimming pool — more than double the size of the pool at the existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. There will be a dedicated learner pool with a movable floor to raise or lower the depth for swimming lessons and a separate splash pool, all part of an enhanced swimming experience.
A large, state-of-the-art, fitness suite and exercise studios will provide dedicated spaces for a range of different classes. Two squash courts will also feature in a great package of leisure facilities.
Plans include a café, community space, a creche, a children’s outdoor play zone, an outdoor fitness trail and enjoyable public areas.
Enhanced landscaping and planting will surround the centre, with improved walking and cycling routes across the Kingsland Campus linking up with the new Houstone School.
Car parking, cycle parking and bus drop-off areas are all included in the plans designed to support the needs of a growing Houghton Regis community.
Councillor Tracey Stock, the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing and Communities, said, “This is tremendous news for Houghton Regis and will offer superb new leisure facilities for residents.
“We have invested significantly in community leisure facilities in recent years an example being the impressive Dunstable Centre. We are now set to invest £54 million in additional leisure provision. We have this Houghton Regis scheme, the major extension to the Jenkins Pavilion in Sandy and the proposed leisure centre in Leighton Linslade to look forward to.
“CBC's Leisure Facilities Strategy sets out our ambition to provide quality new sports and leisure facilities and these three major projects show we are putting that into action. We are providing what residents want and encouraging people to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Councillor Kevin Collins, the Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, said, “This new centre will offer residents superb new swimming, fitness and sporting activities in one quality building and setting.
“Residents will have a welcoming place to meet up, socialise and get support. It will have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing and will bring communities together. It’s going to be an important asset local people will enjoy.
“Houghton Regis is growing and we are making sure this is done in a beneficial and attractive way that benefits the whole community. We are investing in its future.”
Commenting on the plans, Sport England said, “Sport England is very supportive of the project. The new leisure centre in Houghton Regis on the Kingsland Campus will provide a high-quality facility to serve the new school and the local community.”
Houghton Regis CBC councillors, Susan Goodchild and Pat Hamil welcomed the news at the CBC Executive meeting on Tuesday 7 December.
The new development at Kingsland Campus will offer upgraded, superior leisure provision as recommended in CBC's adopted Leisure Facilities Strategy.
A planning application will be submitted shortly to help secure the funding achieved through the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Public engagement and consultation on the proposals will run in early 2022 with feedback helping to inform the planning process. There will be a further opportunity for residents to submit their comments during the statutory planning consultation stage too.
Subject to approval, construction will start later in 2022. The existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre will remain open until the new centre is complete, so leisure provision is always available for the local community.
This is one of several major investments planned to enhance leisure facilities across Central Bedfordshire. There are plans for a new leisure centre in Leighton Linslade and significant improvements are lined up at the Jenkins Pavilion in Sandy.
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New £24 million community hub and leisure facility lined up for Houghton Regis
27 Oct 2021A modern Community Wellbeing Hub in Houghton Regis is one step closer after Central Bedfordshire’s £20 million ‘Levelling Up’ Fund bid was backed by Government today. The successful bid secures regeneration funding for the Kingsland Campus in Houghton Regis.
The funding will have big benefits for local communities and will see a new Leisure and Community Centre, cycleways, play areas and improved green space. This will complement the investment in the new Houstone Secondary School at the Kingsland Campus. Together these major investments will help to link new and existing communities, opening up a heart for the east of Houghton Regis.
The funding will support a £24 million project which creates new leisure facilities and a valuable community hub all seamlessly connected to the existing communities.
Residents will benefit from a new eight-lane pool, a learner and splash pool, squash courts, a fitness suite, studios, an outdoor play area and a quality, new public space.
The development at Kingsland campus will also include a new community facility for people to get support and learn new skills.
There will be new paths, cycleways, parking and bus drop off areas all designed to support the Houghton Regis community. The scheme will be complemented with beautiful landscaping and new planting, all in keeping with the area.
Cllr Kevin Collins, Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration said, ‘’Securing this funding to create this major new development in Houghton Regis is fantastic news. The new leisure facilities and community hub will provide residents with a wonderful asset where they can have fun, keep fit, get support or learn new skills. It’s another huge boost for Central Bedfordshire as we continue to drive the area forward at pace.”
MP Andrew Selous added, “I am delighted about these new leisure and wellbeing facilities for Houghton Regis which I have lobbied hard for. Along with the new Houstone Secondary School and the new All Saints View independent living scheme, this new investment is a major vote of confidence in a town with a bright future.”
Cllr Pat Hamill (Tithe Farm), “Great news for our town and well done to our CBC officers for putting this bid together. At last, Houghton has something big to celebrate. Tithe Farm £25,000 and now £24.000,000 Let’s hope it’s the start of more investments needed for our town.”
Cllr Toni Ryan (Parkside), “Exciting news for Houghton Regis. I will meet with Central Bedfordshire Council and provide you with further details ASAP”
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A New Health Hub For Houghton Regis Potentially by Mid-2024
April 2021
A new health hub could potentially be designed, constructed and completed by mid-2024 on the Kingsland site at Parkside in Houghton Regis. A presentation was given today by Patricia Coker from Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commission Group to the Health and Wellbeing Board in a virtual meeting held by Central Bedfordshire Council.
Patricia Coker told the meeting that in Houghton Regis there was currently a 28% gap in primary care premises given the current population, and with the projected population in 2035, if nothing is done, there would be a 53% gap in primary care premises.
The meeting was told that the preferred site would be the Kingsland site, adjacent to the Leisure Centre to create a hub there. The presentation also mentions the HRN2 site but commentary in the online discussion (see video) suggests that they don't have enough land there for their needs. There are S106 monies available. The presentation can be
downloaded here.
As well as Houghton Regis, the Commissioning Group is looking at providing new health hubs for Dunstable, where constructors are due to start work next month, Ivel Valley, West Mid Beds and Leighton Buzzard.
* Health and Wellbeing Board, Wednesday, 14th April 2021 at 2:00pm
Meeting Link
