Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
Planners have given the go-ahead for a controversial multi-million pound renovation and extension to a Derbyshire leisure centre that will result in the loss of much-loved squash court facilities.
High Peak Borough Council’s Development Control Committee recently approved the council’s own application to increase the height of a major part of its council-run and owned leisure centre, on Hyde Bank Road, at New Mills, now known as MyActive New Mills, to create a group exercise studio with other improvements.
A council spokesperson stated: “The existing leisure centre is an important community hub, and the proposals seek to improve the facilities for local residents.”
The MyActive New Mills centre includes a sports hall, swimming pool and squash courts but the squash courts will be lost with the new renovations and this space will be converted for alternative uses.
Plans include a vertical extension of the existing squash courts to a height of 10.75metres – an increase of 4.5metres above the existing building – but the extension would still sit just below the height of the sports hall which sits at a height of 11. 25metres.
Following a consultation, the council opted to retain the existing four-court sports hall, and to convert the squash court and female changing rooms to allow for an extended fitness gym and a new mezzanine floor above the squash court area and part of the gym while creating a large group exercise studio and a community wellness suite for people new to exercise or suffering with long-term health conditions.
Other agreed plans include refurbishing the existing space used for group cycling to create a dedicated immersive space with a wider range of classes along with refurbishing the reception area and pool viewing area.
High Peak Borough Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Damien Greenhalgh, has described the council’s ‘£3.5m’ investment to improve the leisure centre as a ‘game-changer’ for the community.
But campaigners who fought for the preservation of the squash court facilities previously told how a women’s team, two men’s teams and a thriving junior section will be forced to play further-a-field in Glossop or Disley.
The squash court in New Mills is believed to be one of only a few venues of its type in the High Peak and after the town lost one of its two courts in 2011 a campaign was launched by residents to save the one remaining court.
Campaigners fear the proposed changes will negatively affect children’s sport but they have stated that they were told that without the proposed changes to the leisure centre it will be no longer financially viable in ten years’ time and that the changes may be the only option to keep it open.
One campaigner conceded that the redevelopment should bring in more money for the centre because more people will be expected to use the facilities.
High Peak Borough Council has previously stated it is aware plans to re-purpose the squash court would affect existing users including a number of approximately twenty to thirty junior players but after considering the number of hours the court is used weekly it felt justified in considering whether this space could be better used.
The overall floor area increase with the new plans would amount to 132sq metres and this will accommodate a group exercise studio to be used as a new wellness suite, according to the council.
Internally, the existing fitness gym will be extended into the squash court area and one of the dry changing areas.
The group exercise studio will be converted into a community wellness suite and this will also operate as an inclusive toning facility for the elderly and disabled.
This suite aims to improve access to sport and leisure for more people of all ages and abilities.
The centre’s existing sport hall will be retained along with the existing spin studio.
During the consultation the council received four letters of objection questioning the need to extend the centre with concerns about the loss of the squash facilities and that the plans could result in parking problems along Hyde Bank Road.
An additional letter also claimed that the council had not complied with the National Planning Policy Framework in that developments should not result in the loss of existing sports facilities unless one of four specified exceptions is satisfied.
However, the council stated NPPF policy concerning the loss of facilities is not relevant to this application because the specific re-use or conversion of the squash courts for an extended fitness gym did not require planning consent.
A council spokesperson added: “Whilst it is acknowledged that these development proposals would result in the loss of the existing squash court, it is also noted that squash provision is available at other MyActive centres including Glossop, and alternative local facilities in Marple, Hazel Grove and Poynton.”
The spokesperson added: “The current squash court is used for less than the 80 hours per week that it is available and it has limited, sustainable alternative uses that would generate a significant increase in participation.”
The council’s Leisure and Environmental Services also argued the refurbishment represents a key component of the council’s Leisure Transformation Plan which seeks to modernise leisure facilities, improve accessibility, enhance health and well-being outcomes, and ensure that high quality leisure provision remains available for current and future generations.
They also stated that the investment in New Mills leisure centre will safeguard an important community asset and enable it to continue meeting the evolving needs of residents.
A council spokesperson stated: “New Mills leisure centre is a valued community hub and its continued improvement is essential to supporting the well-being of local residents.”
Derbyshire County Council’s highways authority also raised no objections after considering a car parking survey based around the borough council’s plans.
A borough council spokesperson added: “The project will deliver substantial community benefits, including increased opportunities for residents to be physically active and improve their health and well-being, enhanced facilities that are accessible, inclusive and fit-for-purpose, support for preventative health measures, help to reduce inactivity and associated health conditions and improve opportunities for social connection, community engagement and tackling isolation.
“There would be no adverse impacts upon residential amenity. The proposals are of an acceptable design and would not harm the setting of the New Mills Conservation Area.”
The council’s development committee approved planning permission at a meeting on September 14 to increase the height of the leisure centre facility to create a group exercise studio, a new external fire escape stair and associated roof-mounted mechanical equipment subject to conditions.
Conditions include restricted construction times, dust prevention and waste disposal controls, and the installation of cycle parking.
