David Lloyd Leisure facility plans at Marham Park in Bury St Edmunds – drainage concerns, ecological effects and support from residents
Concerns over drainage at a proposed health club on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds have been addressed.
David Lloyd Leisure Ltd wants to build the huge facility on a 2.01 hectare site fronting Sandlands Drive at Marham Park, with plans submitted in February.
The proposals have been subject to a number of amendments – with updates on drainage, ecological impacts and support from residents.
Suffolk County Council, as Lead Flood Authority, lodged a holding objection in March because of insufficient information submitted to assess the application.
In April, the authority recommended refusal of a condition about drainage over ‘missed opportunities to provide reuse of rainwater, treatment, amenity and biodiversity’.
Among actions required to overcome the refusal, it said rainwater harvesting should be further considered, a surface water drainage strategy submitted with consideration for tree pits, kerbside raingardens and bioretention features as well as a site investigation.
A letter to West Suffolk Council, dated July 4 from Furness Consulting Engineers, said rainwater harvesting was not favoured by a large majority of building owners it worked with due to ongoing maintenance issues as well as health and safety risks.
On a surface water drainage strategy, it said a numer of sports pitches will be built with permeable surfaces, there were soft landscaping features around the car park and tree pits.
It also proposes a ‘soakaway test’ in the location of a proposed storage tank.
A design and access statement, submitted to West Suffolk Council, said the site would include a three court tennis inflatable air-dome enclosure, three padel courts, a multi-use court and a Battle Box facility.
For swimming, there would be a five lane, 20m pool inside, a 400/800mm deep learner pool, an outdoor leisure pool and an outdoor children's splash play zone.
Other features listed are a three court sports hall, 100 to 120 station gym, four studio spaces for spin, blaze, high impact as well as mind and body studios, a children's soft play and activity space.
The plans feature 225 car parking spaces and 20 cycle spaces.
In other submissions, Ecology Solutions was instructed by David Lloyd Leisure Ltd to prepare a statement to consider the ecological effects of the plans.
Comments from a planning officer said they had been expecting something more robust in terms of noting previous surveys as well as considering lighting and the need to keep the woodland belt dark.
They said there was a suggestion that areas would be lit and at a level which they understood to be incompatible with a number of species which were recorded as using the site.
In reponse, Ecology Solutions said use of the site by light-sensitive bats was low, with a single record away from the site.
It said: “Steps have nevertheless been taken to reduce light spill as much as practicable, while recognising that the proper function of the new facility requires a certain amount of light while open.
“It is the case, however, that lighting adjacent to the woodland would only be operational when needed when the facility is open and/or in use by members.”
It said the application conformed with a 2013 Environmental Statement on the issue.
West Suffolk’s Environment Team said a car charging provision statement needed to provide additional information over EV charging spaces.
Fornham St Martin cum St Genevieve Parish Council said it supported in principal the application.
Sport England said it backed the plans, as they will deliver new sports facilities.
Residents have also voiced their approval.
One said: “I support and welcome these facilities in helping to establish Marham Park as a community.”
Another said: “It's fantastic to see that plans are finally being made to deliver on the promises made by the developers on Marham Park.
“This development will be a huge asset to the local area, and will firmly put Marham Park in the map.”
Another added: “I support this proposal. It is consistent with the original master plan for Marham Park and the marketing of the development to the residents.
“This appears to be one of the few things left that will deliver on the original plan. It is also good to see sensible provision made for parking, and the plan looks like it will enhance the area.”
Earlier this month, attention has been drawn to an approved planning application for a Co-op on the Marham Park estate, which never opened.
It followed the announcement that the Co-op in Mildenhall Road is set to close on August 19.
