New £2.4m sports complex in Stowmarket given go ahead

Mid Suffolk District Council has given the plans the green light which will now see a new sports pavilion, multi-use games area, sports hall and mini athletics track built in Stowmarket. 

The development will be built on the land surrounding Stowmarket High School and Chilton Fields.

The initial work also includes an improved pitch for Stowmarket Rugby Club, an active track, cricket nets and additional paths and fencing.

Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, said: “This is a huge milestone for such an ambitious project, and we can now get work started and bring this exciting project to life.

Councillor Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council)

“These facilities will be a great addition not only for Stowmarket but neighbouring communities too. They’ll give people more opportunities to be active, with all the health and social benefits that can bring.

“By delivering the pitches and running track as outlined in work package one first, we can make a start on getting much needed facilities open to members of the community as soon as possible while simultaneously carrying on those conversations with our partners to finalise the design of the latter stages.”

The project, which is set to cost £2.4million, aims to address health inequalities in the town and wider district, the council said.

Chilton Fields in Stowmarket (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council)

Mid Suffolk said this in particular affects Chilton Ward, which often compares poorly against the local area and nationally.

The new facilities would be available for use by residents, sports groups and clubs as well as schools.

The proposed masterplan has been developed in partnership with key stakeholders including Suffolk County Council, Stowmarket Town Council, local schools, the leisure centre, the NHS, Active Suffolk, sports clubs, the Football Foundation and Sport England.