Plans to revitalise sport, leisure, and wellbeing in Stowmarket to be considered

Stowmarket could soon benefit from a new leisure and wellbeing hub featuring a 4g football pitch and a multi-use 2g pitch, a mini athletics track, new sports pavilion, a multi-use games area, four indoor sports courts, new cricket square and nets and a multi-agency welling being hub, if funding is agreed by Mid Suffolk District Council later this month.

The funding will enable the council to take the proposals to the next stage and will include developing a detailed design for the masterplan, holding public consultation events to share plans and prepare and submit a planning application for the project. During this phase, the council will work in collaboration with partners and stakeholders to ensure the site will be used most effectively for everyone involved.

The proposal for the health and wellbeing hub in Stowmarket will outline plans to bring together a range of sports, leisure and health facilities to create a real benefit to local communities.

Harry Richardson, Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This project will allow us to provide a holistic approach to sport, health and wellbeing in Stowmarket. Given the existing strong relationships with partners and stakeholders, helping those sports to develop and create stronger partnerships to grow wellbeing outcomes and meet Mid Suffolk District Councils ambition to create great communities with bright and healthy futures that everyone is proud to call home and help.”

The masterplan incorporates two parcels of land in the north-west of Stowmarket, including land surrounding Stowmarket High School and Chilton Fields. Currently these sites offer sport provision for rugby, cricket, football, and tennis.

Much of the existing sports provision is in need of renewal and replacement and the project aims to provide modern, sustainable sport and wellbeing facilities, created by strong partnership working.

The proposal will reshape current car parking at Chilton Fields, create additional parking at the wellbeing hub as well as introducing a multi-surface perimeter track to encourage running and walking.

In addition to creating modern facilities for sport and leisure and access to a range of health and wellbeing services, the sport and wellbeing hub will also provide a boost to the local economy supporting sport and health providers and creating job and training opportunities.

The proposed masterplan has been developed in partnership with a number of key stakeholders including Suffolk County Council, Stowmarket Town Council, local school, leisure centre, local CCGs, Active Suffolk, local sports clubs and Sport England.

Stowmarket Town Mayor Barry Salmon, said: “We believe this project has huge potential for Stowmarket in providing a wide range of facilities that will be accessible for all members of our community.”

For more information go to www.midsuffolk.gov.uk