Plan for Lavenham Wellness Centre at Second Meadow Stables, Brent Eleigh re-submitted

Plans have been been re-submitted for a wellness centre in a Suffolk village.

The outline planning application for The Wellness Centre at Second Meadow Stables, Brent Eleigh Road, Lavenham, has been submitted to Babergh District Council.

It is a resubmission after the original application was refused due to the location being outside the settlement boundary, lack of accessibility and flood risk.

After seeking new advice, the applicant says they have now met these criteria.

The plan includes a swimming pool, changing room and sauna, relaxation rooms, treatment rooms, an outdoor yoga area, small gym, café and restaurant.

The application site is next to Lavenham Studios; a small commercial centre containing a range of compatible and complementary uses including a physiotherapy centre, acupuncture clinic and personal training facility.

The site has most recently been used for keeping horses and the application seeks to remove of existing structures for the wellness centre to be built.

The new application includes a sequential test, a flood risk and drainage strategy, a new layout ‘better using the existing structure and the approved new access’.

The application says there has also been biodiversity improvements and an initial landscape plan and liaison with the parish council, Suffolk County Council Public Right of Ways and the Environment Agency.

The applicant says the plan now aligns with both the Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan and the emerging Local Plan and will attract tourism and provide local employment opportunities.

It will also provide additional out of the village car parking facilities within walking distance of the village.

The applicant states: “In a post Covid-19 world the population is more aware than ever of the importance of looking after physical and mental health.

“The benefit to customer’s wellbeing by having access to well equipped, conveniently located, well maintained, safe and secure shared use facility are considerable, and this merit is close to impossible for most customers to achieve this at home or any other way.

“Through Lavenham Wellness we want to be able to support the local community by offering affordable access to equipment and facilities to enhance individual’s feeling of wellbeing.

“At Lavenham Wellness we will work with and listen to, the community, local authorities, charities and other organisations to help support and improve all our wellbeing and lives where we can.

“As our offered services will consist of a fully equipped gym, swim spas, sauna and steam room, our target market will be all residents within the local area and visitors, whether they be just visiting for the day or vacationing in the area.

“Our priority will be to establish and promote the Wellness facilities, looking to encourage people within the Lavenham ward to sign up and participate in the plans and services offered.”

Two of the existing barns will be retained for use as treatment rooms. A kiosk will be built on the site of the original stables.

The café will be built on the site of the horse walker

The application has received six public comments in support.