New leisure centre and office plan set for approval

Plans for new council offices and a leisure centre in Swadlincote are set to be given the go-ahead.

South Derbyshire District Council's development management committee has been recommended by officers to approve an application from the Labour-run authority on June 2 for the proposed development on the former Cadley Hill Colliery.

According to planning documents, the proposed development would replace Green Bank Leisure Centre and offices in Civic Way in Swadlincote town centre.

According to the plans, the leisure centre would comprise a 25m (82ft) pool, a teaching pool and a sports hall, as well as soft play space on the ground floor, plus various studios and space for exercise.

A report prepared for the meeting adds an office building on the western side of the site would contain space for civic facilities, open plan office spaces and meeting rooms.

Planning documents show the site would also have 383 parking spaces, of which 25 would be accessible spaces.

"The proposal represents a high-quality design that would sit well in this location and provides a significant upgrade in leisure facilities for the local population and further afield, as well as much needed high quality, modern and flexible office space for the district council," the documents added.

"The proposal would also provide the opportunity to allow the council to vacate its current town centre site at Civic Way, where the offices and leisure centre are currently located, and provide the opportunity for that site to be redeveloped."

The application will be subject to a Section 106 legal agreement in which funds will be allocated towards services in the area, including £160,000 towards upgrading Cadley Hill Road to a shared use path, according to planning documents.

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