Feasibility work for new West Wickham facilities underway

Perfect Circle and Montagu Evans will build on the initial concept work to design a new leisure and library facility in West Wickham. This detailed work will then enable consultation to take place, with a planning application then being submitted after this, later in 2019.

“We are at the early stages of what is an exciting proposal, which will deliver new leisure and library facilities which are needed locally. A new building, replacing the existing leisure centre, but also incorporating a library and potentially residential accommodation, would bring modern facilities to West Wickham. We need to make sure that any proposal that is brought forward is both viable and feasible and then we will consult local people. Only after this point will a planning application be submitted and therefore, we are early stages of this project” said Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing.

The early stage proposals would see a new building replacing the existing leisure centre, incorporating a new swimming pool and leisure facilities, including a modern library. The new 25 metre swimming pool and learner pool would meet Sports England specifications, with the new library having at least the same floor space as the existing library. Residential accommodation will also be included, with the existing library site also being used for housing.

If the works are approved, it is anticipated that a much-needed boost of capital investment will come from an appointed developer, who would potentially then take the build project forwards. This would then be the second combined swimming pool, leisure and library facility in the Borough, with similar a concept already in operation in Biggin Hill.

Interested local people who want to be informed when initial consultation takes place, which is anticipated to be in the early part of 2019, can visit www.bromley.gov.uk/westwickhampoolandlibrary and apply to be notified when consultation starts.