Stowmarket wellbeing and leisure hub plans move forward with £250,000 funding approved
Progress has been made for a wellbeing and leisure hub with further funding and a business case being approved.
The Stowmarket health, education, leisure facilities project (also known as SHELF) will be on land near Stowmarket High School and Chilton Fields and will provide the town with new and improved sports and wellbeing facilities.
At a Mid Suffolk District Council meeting on Thursday, March 23, approval was given for £250,000 from the Growth and Efficiency fund which will allow the project to move forward.
Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, said: "I am pleased to see progress being made on the next phase of the business case for the flagship Stowmarket wellbeing and leisure hub.
“Thanks to the strong collaboration among key stakeholders, we are a step closer to securing the provision of new health, education, leisure, wellbeing and sports facilities for the local community.
“The new hub will not only benefit schools and sports clubs, but will open up access to high quality facilities to the wider community, so that everyone in and around Stowmarket can benefit from an improved local offering."
The draft masterplan for the scheme was approved in June 2022 where funding of £700,000 was agreed alongside the development of a masterplan which was showcased to residents, students, community groups and sports clubs.
Nearly 200 feedback forms were submitted which has helped shape which facilities are at SHELF and this includes a new sports pavilion, a multi-use games areas, four indoor sports courts and a multi-agency wellbeing hub.
Cllr Harry Richardson, Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The proposals for the new health, education, leisure, wellbeing, and sports facilities for Stowmarket are very complex as we work to meet the needs of our partners as well as take on board the feedback from residents and local communities.
“I am delighted that so much progress has been made and that the project is ready to move to the next stage.”
