New Cranleigh Leisure Centre

Google photo shot Cranleigh Leisure Centre New Build – the story so far:

It is great that Waverley Borough Councillors voted for a new leisure centre in Cranleigh – a long time ago.  The Officers and paid-for contractors have worked to find the best place and design since 2017.

There have been engagements with Councillors and the public, including a consultation in March 2024. Some of the points made have been included in the updated plans. There are websites dedicated to bringing all the information to the public and comment boards. Click here to read the story and see the details.

What will Cranleigh’s New Leisure Centre be like?

The new building will be taller than the medical centre. It will be modern, clad in timber and topped with solar panels facing south. The east side faces the houses and has a vent for machinery plus ground floor windows. The surroundings will be landscaped and 300 car parking spaces are included. The pool will be visible from outdoors on 3 sides, light and airy. The PassivHaus design is the most sustainable for the longest time.

The Neighbourhood Plan for Cranleigh has been passed during that time, and the importance of Areas of Strategic Visual Importance (ASVI) have been reviewed and re-established in 2018.  This includes the Paddock.

The Paddock is a triangle of grass off Knowle Lane.  It was used for ponies many years ago.  Then it was the Parish council’s mini rugby field. But it flooded so much the bookings reduced to nil. 

CVHT: When the village wanted to save Cranleigh hospital from losing its beds the charity CVHT was formed to fund raise.  However it was soon clear that the NHS would prefer a new build and at first the GPs joined in – but where could they build it?  The Parish Council proposed the Paddock – but CVHT would not have to buy it because one of its members had viable land across Knowle Lane and offered it as a swop.  The new football field with car parking was provided in a deal with the Parish Council.  And a covenant was put onto the Paddock to say that CVHT must build for health provision within 5 years or lose it.  The legal side of all these negotiations is complex and open to questions.  

Planning permission was granted but lapsed.  Although there was ASVI on the land, and it is outside the built area of the village, CVHT got the go ahead. It lapsed for a variety of reasons, particularly that NHS policies changed for and then ultimately against community beds. A solution emerged that would involve NHS beds but within a commercial care home and this was unacceptable to many who were incensed because it would be a private enterprise and the availability of the NHS community beds would be in question.  Also a block of flats was included. The planning permission was turned down on planning reasons – ASVI, and access to Knowle Lane. Berkeley homes had built large properties to the West side and the lane was more busy. The inspector, when he passed planning permission, stated that there should be no more building along Knowle Lane. Also the Paddock is at risk of flooding.

Solutions?

Against this background could the following happen? Could CVHT and the Parish Council jointly make the Paddock into a conservation field that can safely be walked on and wheelchair accessible, with disabled parking, and could Waverley overturn any objections? The community deserve it to be accessible, which it isn’t. There is housing all around it and many people could benefit.  

The Paddock is currently ‘owned’ by CVHT but could an arrangement be made for the Paddock to be a temporary car park while the leisure centre is built? The conservationists will point out some harm to the grassland, but could this be managed? Could financing such as project be worked out and would Cranleigh residents say Hooray?

Where could Cranleigh’s new leisure centre be built?

Several pieces of land have been discussed.  Cranleigh society has consistently said that the middle of Village Way car park is not the right place for the Leisure Centre, but we have followed the rationale of the councillors, contractors and officers at Waverley.

2021 consultants and consultation – In 2021 the consultants had researched the project and laid out their findings to councillors. There were 9 options suggested with strengths and weaknesses explained. The Paddock was discounted.

The summaries below are taken from an official document WBC November 2021 Public Reports Pack 30112021:

9-BRUCE MCKENZIE MEMORIAL FIELDS – discounted – outside settlement boundary, impact on green belt and ASVI, impact on landscape, flood risks, no safe access to and from Knowle Lane. Land would have to be acquired from Cranleigh Parish Council by Waverley BC and car parking built.

8-SNOXHALL FIELDS – discounted – outside settlement boundary, impact on green belt and ASVI, impact on landscape, flood risks, no safe access to and from Knowle Lane.  Land would have to be acquired from Cranleigh Parish Council by Waverley BC and car parking built. Play park and football club uses would be impacted.

7-WEST SIDE OF PARISH COUNCIL LAND (land where the Parish office etc are) – impact on John Wiskar Drive residents, mature trees would be removed, land would have to be acquired from Cranleigh Parish Council by Waverley BC, flood risk, size of building required is greater than the plot available so Village Way Road would be used.

6-NORTH SIDE OF CAR PARK (land nearest the GP surgery – discounted – access for larger vehicles – service and coaches – in particular, and impact on nearby buildings, loss of parking during construction.

5-EAST SIDE OF CAR PARK (land nearest Charts close housing) – discounted – mature trees removal, service and coach access a problem, loss of parking during construction.

4-TENNIS COURTS AND LEISURE CENTRE CAR PARK – discounted- impact on housing, flood risk, mature trees removal, service and coach access difficulties, loss of some parking during construction, Land would have to be acquired from Cranleigh Parish Council by Waverley BC.

3-REMODEL OF CURRENT SITE – discounted – major pool tank issues and primary structure risks. Very high cost does not make it a viable proposition. Loss of some income during each phase of construction.

2-NEW BUILD ON CURRENT SITE – option – loss of leisure centre during construction. Loss of income to WBC and contractor. Leisure centre would be closed for a lot longer.

1-NEW BUILD IN CENTRE OF CAR PARK- PREFERRED OPTION – planning permissions required re 4 active elevations. Loss of car parking during construction.  Most affordable option. Construction equipment etc on LC car park during construction.

Now what?

Cranleigh Society notes that the project is ready subject to planning permission being granted, and that the issue of mitigating the missing car parking is not finalised but is being worked on, as is the future of the market. 

Support with reservations –

We support the general concept of building a new PassivHaus leisure centre as soon as possible. If interested in PassivHaus please click here

The following issues should be resolved:

Loss of light

The final position of the building on the plans is shown as in line with the medical centre going away from Cranleigh High Street. Bearing in mind that it is tall building (taller than the medical centre) this will overshadow the housing nearby – Charts Close and Little Manor Gardens and will create a dark passage alongside the hospital and down towards the Snoxhall children’s play area. Residents, especially the elderly, are very concerned about this. Lighting and CCTV will need to be sensitive so that the footpath is safe and a pleasure to use and doesn’t impact the housing. To promote more walking and cycling beautiful walkways are needed to join the village housing estates and centre together.

Overlooking, loss of privacy, noise and disturbance

The final position and height of the building may impact on the homes in Charts Close and Little Manor Gardens. Reports into the sound of classes suggest that sound will go towards Village Way. The report shows noise from the ‘Plant’ – machinery – should lessen by the time it gets to the housing. Any evidence to show the reports are not correct needs to be sent to Waverley as soon as possible. Could it be that those properties currently enjoy some winter sun and sunsets? The good thing is that the trees in place won’t need to be disturbed – it is to be hoped.

Recycling of materials from the original LC demolition

Confirmation that these materials will be reused/ disposed of as per Waverley Borough Council Policies.

Cranleigh Society will be investigating

the current thinking for all the following issues:

Travel to and from village

Travelling – many people are older or infirm but not Blue Badge holders. They depend on their cars – or lifts. Walking, cycling, and transport options; there will be some provision for visiting the medical centre. Hoppa bus, Surrey Connect and hospital transport are all involved in the planning. Cranleigh Parish Council have some land that will assist with the build phase. Cranleigh is lucky to have new bus services and people need to use them.

Construction issues

There will be a construction management plan that is intended to meet the needs to manage congestion as cars and construction traffic compete for road space. It will also manage damage to road surfaces from heavy vehicles and the impact on housing during construction – noise, pollution, access.

Market

Feasibility of temporarily siting the Market in Stocklund Square car park – this is subject to ongoing discussions with the organisers and is likely to go ahead.

Skatepark, Tennis and other racquet sports

Future of skatepark, tennis or other racquet sports in Cranleigh will depend on Cranleigh Parish Council finding the funds and spaces.

Squash Courts

Issue over Squash courts- the courts offered at the leisure centre are only in use 10% of the time. Cranleigh School does have a sports club with 3 squash courts – click here to view membership fees and times available for bookings. Those times are used by staff as well. Ironically the current squash court users walk to Cranleigh Leisure Centre.

Cranleigh Swimming Club

Issue over swimming spectators’ reduced space, and real possibilities of losing swimming club tournaments. The first plans have been revised to provide some additional seating. Other leisure centres manage galas so hope to persuade the swimming club that these plans will work for them. The provision is as follows:

1. Pool length slightly longer to accommodate timing system, to ensure that it is 25m length with timing pads in situ
2. Installation of fixings and electrical works for starting blocks, timing pads and score board, to enable competitive swimming
3. Provision of new starting blocks
4. Addition of bench seating along the entire length of the main pool and teaching pool halls

In addition, they will also benefit from:

• New deck-level main pool
• Larger, deeper teaching pool with moveable floor – that can accommodate training and warm-up sessions
• Easy access steps and pool pods, for both pools – that can fully accommodate all ages and abilities to their club sessions
• Health studio for land training
• Access to a larger, state-of-the-art gym
• Larger group changing rooms
• Other facilities

Time line and budget adherence will be overseen keenly by councillors and officers.

www.clcnewbuild.commonplace.is

Click here to find the current planning application.

Good luck with composing your support or objection to the planning application

There is no point in only using social media to vent.