Following a recently concluded public consultation, Rushmoor Borough Council is preparing a detailed planning application for a new leisure centre in Farnborough, Hampshire UK.

The new site has been on the cards for several years, as the old facility was closed during the pandemic and has since been demolished. Earlier plans for the leisure centre had to be scrapped as they were too expensive. Then there was uncertainty about whether the new scheme would still be eligible for the £20 million from the government’s Levelling Up fund. It has now been confirmed that it is.

GT3 Architects – which designed the Eclipse Leisure Centre in Spelthorne – have drawn up the designs. Revised proposals have taken on feedback from public engagement exercises over the summer and the council’s recent active lives survey where local people were asked for their thoughts on being active and the types of activity they like being involved in. Alliance Leisure was appointed as development partner by the council on 2 June this year.

The latest plans, which will be included in the detailed planning application, comprise a 100-station gym, including specialist power-assisted equipment, studio space, an indoor cycling studio, soft play area, 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool and a café and social space.

Councillor Sophie Porter, deputy leader and cabinet member for healthy communities and active lives at Rushmoor Borough Council said: “Providing local opportunities for exercise, improved wellbeing and social connection is a priority for us and the new leisure centre will be a key part of this effort, designed to bring people together in an affordable and inclusive space for fitness, swimming and recreation.”

“We know our residents want to see a new leisure centre and swimming pool in Farnborough and we're working very hard to bring the centre forward for everyone as soon as we can.

In order to be more accessible, the new centre will be sited closer to public transport, with the old site potentially being sold for housing.

The planning application will be submitted imminently, with work anticipated to start in the spring and be completed in autumn 2027.