A planning application to transform Shrewsbury Sports Village in Sundorne has been submitted.
These plans, which were given the go-ahead by the previous administration last September (2024), have been shaped following a public consultation to seek people’s views on the proposed transformation of the sports village to include new fitness and pool facilities.
Proposed designs for Shrewsbury Sports Village
The consultation was an important step in ensuring that the voices of the community were heard and considered in the planning and development of the new facilities to include:
- A 25-metre x eight-lane pool – suitable for county competitions, galas and general swimming.
- 17 x 10 metre studio pool with moveable floor for learners and other water sports, including a children’s water party module.
- Seating in pool hall for 250 spectators and space for 250 competitors.
- Changing village, plus Changing Places facility for people in need of additional support.
- New reception area and lobby, with café overlooking the pool.
- New children’s soft play area.
- New 130-station fitness suite.
- Multi-purpose studio.
- New 30-station cycle spin studio.
- Refurbishment of the dry changing facilities.
- Maintaining all other internal and external facilities on site including: the main sports hall with eight badminton courts, exercise studio, 16 football pitches and football changing, bowls hall, cycle track and eight netball courts.
The results of the consultation revealed a community deeply invested in the future of their local leisure facilities and the feedback collected has been instrumental in shaping the project’s direction, highlighting the importance of accessibility, sustainability, and the need for a modern, multi-feature centre that appeals to a broad demographic.
The consultation also underscored the financial challenges and the necessity for a viable long-term solution for Shrewsbury’s swimming and fitness needs.
Plans for the Sports Village also include making it an all-electric operation. This will mean that if approved, the centre’s existing gas boilers will be decommissioned to make a step change in the council’s journey to being net-zero.
Councillor James Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and leisure, said:
“This planning application marks an important step forward in our journey to creating a modern competition centre which aims to cater for residents across the county.
“While we face significant financial challenges, the money that has been used to create the detailed designs and planning application for the centre is coming from our capital budget, a budget that we are not allowed to use to deliver day-to-day services. This budget was agreed by the previous administration.”
James added:
“It is important to note that, despite this planning application process, no decisions have yet been made. We remain committed to maintaining a separate community swimming facility within Shrewsbury town centre and we are exploring ways in which we can do this.”
Councillor Mandy Duncan, Shropshire Councillor for Sundorne and Old Heath, added:
“I welcome the proposed redevelopment of Shrewsbury Sports Village and the swimming pool as a long-overdue investment in our community’s health and wellbeing. It provides opportunities for improved access to sport for young people, better health outcomes for residents, and long-term savings through preventative services.
“If the planning application is successful, I will be holding the council to account to ensure that this development is delivered on time, on budget, and with local voices at the heart of the process. We have a real opportunity to create a facility that serves Shropshire for generations to come. Let’s make sure we get it right.”
Plans are available to view in the reception area of the Sports Village or on the council’s website here.
The planning application reference is 25/02658/FUL.
