Multi-million-pound leisure centre coming to new town Sherford in Plymouth

Plans for a multi-million-pound leisure centre in Plymouth have been given the go-ahead.

The proposed development, at the £1bn Sherford new town, would end a nearly 30-year wait for a swimming pool in that part of the city.

Sherford’s leisure centre is designed to be the greenest and most accessible in the city.

It will offer the latest in high-quality, sustainable, and accessible sports and leisure facilities.

The proposals include a 4-lane 25m length swimming pool, 4 court sports hall, 65 station fitness suite, 2 multi-purpose studios, wet and dry changing facilities, a café and associated parking and landscaping.

The scheme was given the green light by Plymouth City Council planners under delegated powers.

When built, the centre will finally see a pool open close to Plymstock, nearly three decades after the Plymstock and District Swimming Pool Association began campaigning and fund-raising for one.

The Association raised £182,000 and this cash will help fund the accessible features.

Approving the plans, the report of officers says: “Officers consider the development provides an acceptable design and one that addresses the considerations of the site.

"The amount of parking provision for the centre is in line with the outline permission and that set out within the S106 obligations which sets a requirement of a maximum of 120 car parking spaces for the Sports Centre.

"The proposal provides 114 spaces on site which are to serve the Centre plus the adjacent tennis court and pitches.

“The location of the sports centre building has been directed by the outline permission, with its scale and mass informed through the principles set out within the design code.

"The principle of such a land use adjacent to residential properties has already therefore been accepted, and indeed the creation of a mixed use settlement was a fundamental behind the original ethos for Sherford.”

Incorporating a range of energy-saving, green elements, sustainability has been central to the planning and design.

The leisure centre will have a green roof, solar panels, heating via air source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging points – making it the “greenest” leisure centre in Plymouth and the South Hams.

Significant efforts have been made to ensure the leisure centre will be fully accessible and open to all.

Plans include the inclusion of a Pool Pod user-controlled pool lift; “changing places” toilet, with changing bench and hoist; internal passenger lift; and accessible car parking spaces.

Plymouth City Council is providing £403,000 towards the building costs of the project, which has been secured through sport and recreation Section 106 contributions from other developers within the area.

Plymouth City Council planners will determine the fate of all the new applications listed below at a later date. Below is the full latest list of planning applications that have been submitted this week.