Fresh designs for the proposed Cranbrook Leisure and Wellbeing Centre have been revealed after public feedback helped shape the revised plans.
The updated designs are available to view with an invitation to leave more feedback before the deadline on June 18, ahead of a planning application being submitted.
Tweaks to the original plans include:
- Enlarging areas of planting within the car park for more street trees to ‘act as rain gardens’ collecting rain to water the plants.
- Changes to the car park layout to include four larger family parking bays and 19 electric vehicle charging points.
- Extending the café and the outdoor seating area ‘to create a bustling community hub’.
- Creating a town centre ‘local landmark’ by cladding the first floor of the projected gym in textured panels
- Pathways that lead straight from the public car park into the entrance of the building
- Bike parking added to a shared path linking Tillhouse Road to the community and leisure centre
- More family parking bays in the car park and the addition of a ‘green roof’ on a cycle park.
Cllr Nick Hookway, for culture, leisure, sport and tourism at the district council, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in the first survey. The feedback has helped shape the proposals and highlighted what matters most to people who will use the centre.
“The updated plans are now available to view, along with information showing how comments from the first survey have been considered and where possible improvements made.
“We are asking people to look again at the proposals and share their views through this second survey before the project moves to the next stage.”
The deadline for comments on the updated designs is 5pm on June 18. Feedback from the original public survey can also be found.
Residents can see the latest proposals, share feedback, and see how the district council has considered previous comments.
An East Devon District Council (EDDC) spokeswoman said: “The updated plans for the proposed Cranbrook Leisure and Wellbeing Centre are now available to view, giving people another opportunity to see the changes and share their views before a planning application is submitted.”
The district council has worked with project managers and designers over the last 12 months on proposals for a leisure and wellbeing centre for Cranbrook town centre.
The first public consultation attracted almost 1,000 comments showing ‘strong support’ for the community hub.
Most canvassed said they would use the leisure and wellness centre, calling for a bright and welcoming space, with a 25-metre swimming pool, gym and fitness suite, café, social spaces and exercise studios.
The EDDC spokeswoman said: “Since the first survey, the design has been developed, giving people the chance to view the latest proposals and to see how feedback on features such as the 25-metre pool, sports hall provision and other design elements has been taken into account before a planning application is submitted.”
