Leisure centre extension at New Mills Leisure Centre, New Mills

“This application seeks full planning consent for a vertical extension of the existing squash courts to a height of 10.75m, an increase of 4.5m above the existing building. In context the extension would sit just below the height of the sports hall which sits at a height of 11. 25m. The overall floor area increase would amount to 132 sqm, and accommodate a group exercise studio. The existing group exercise studio would be utilised as a new wellness suite.”

“The application site refers to New Mills Leisure Centre which is located on Hyde Bank Road within the established settlement boundary of New Mills. The site is bounded by Hyde bank Road to the north and west, by the Sett Valley Medical Centre to the east and New Mills Secondary School and additional residential dwellings further to the south and Church Lane to the north.”

“The application site is also located directly adjacent to the New Mills Conservation Area.”

“HPK/0002/5756 – New changing room, store and spots hall – Approved 21/09/1987”

“HPK/0000/8684 – Proposed swimming pool and squash courts - Approved…”

“The refurbishment of New Mills Leisure Centre represents a key component of the Council’s Leisure Transformation Plan, which seeks to modernise leisure facilities, improve accessibility, enhance health and wellbeing outcomes, and ensure that high- quality leisure provision remains available for current and future generations.”

“New Mills Leisure Centre is located just outside of the New Mills Conservation area. New Mills Leisure Centre currently has a neutral impact upon the setting of the conservation area, as the late 20th century building is contemporary for the time of its construction and does not pick up on the vernacular architecture of the adjacent conservation area. However, due to the local topography and the building siting, it appears disconnected from the adjacent conservation area.”

“No case has been made for a need of increase gym space or for a wellness centre. This has not factored in the presence of a number of existing private gyms in the area and appear to want to create a monopoly of gym provision. • It is claimed that the maximum occupancy of the building will only increase from 342 to 355, this is disingenuous. It is proposed to double the size of the gym and the existing group exercise room will be used for a wellness suite.”

“A parking survey and transport and parking assessment should be undertaken, in addition to clear mitigation measures such as enforceable parking management, pavement parking prevention, improved pedestrian access and measures to prevent the displacement parking causing highway safety problems. • Traditional sports facilities such as squash are being destroyed by this plan.”

“Concerns regarding parking on pavements at the leisure centre will be referred to the management of the leisure centre to address. It was requested that covered cycle stands be provided to encourage cycling to the facility, and reference was also made to the convenient location of other bus stops in the area in addition to the Church Road stop.”

“That planning permission be granted as set out in the report, subject to the amendment of condition 9 to require the installation of some covered cycle parking; and…”

“That in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Development Services be delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”