A planned sports and wellbeing hub in Stowmarket will get £250,000 to draw up designs and a planning application.

Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet approved the spending on Stowmarket’s health, education and leisure facilities (SHELF) scheme in a unanimous vote.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cllr Harry RichardsonCllr Harry Richardson (Image: MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL)

Cllr Harry Richardson, deputy council leader and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Feedback on the scheme from stakeholders and residents has been overwhelmingly supportive.

“We are anticipating that we will obtain planning permission by June or July, with the council being asked to approve a detailed funding strategy later this year.”

Feedback on the early proposals from residents, students, community groups and sports clubs included over 200 written comments; 79% of all respondents and 70% of Stowmarket resident respondents were supportive of the proposals.

A further consultation will be carried out as part of the planning application.

The site will encompass two bits of land in the northwest of Stowmarket – surrounding Stowmarket High School and Chilton Fields.

The SHELF hub is expected to include a sports pavilion, two multi-use games areas, four indoor sports courts, a wellbeing site, a 3G football pitch, a mini athletics track and a children’s play area.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cllr Keith WelhamCllr Keith Welham (Image: Archant)

Green Cllr Keith Welham said: “I welcome this project. Mid Suffolk needs a facility like this.

“My one concern all along has been about sustainable transport. Will there be discussions about providing sustainable transport to and from the site?”

Officers explained that a sustainable travel strategy has already been started, and Cllr Richardson stated this work would continue as part of the planning application process.

The decision to progress an initial SHELF scheme proposal was approved by Mid Suffolk District Council in June last year.