Sedgemoor District Council has this week defended its decision to invest millions of pounds in a new Bridgwater leisure complex with six cinema screens, four restaurants, a gym and 111 parking spaces.
At a confidential, commercially-sensitive meeting of Sedgemoor District Council this week, members agreed an budget which will pay for all the preparatory works for redevelopment of the former Splash swimming pool site in Northgate, Bridgwater.
“Exciting plans have been revealed as to the future redevelopment of the Northgate site in the centre of Bridgwater and have been the result of extensive consultation,” said council spokeswoman Claire Faun.
“The scheme will provide a great new space for people to enjoy their leisure time, as well as make positive links to the existing town centre shops, bars and restaurants.”
“It will establish a new thriving day time and evening town centre economy that complements the housing, employment and new jobs growth of currently happening in Bridgwater and Sedgemoor.”
“A business case has been written and agreed, but exact costs are unknown at present, as they are dependent on the final designs.”
“The scheme will be funded by Sedgemoor District Council as a means of generating income, as national government funding is finally removed.”
Sedgemoor District Council prepared a masterplan and planning application, which included provision for a leisure scheme, primary school, retail, additional town centre car parking and enhancement of the Brewery Field open space.
The entire site was originally jointly-owned between Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council.
The majority of the County Council site has already been developed, the Northgate Primary School is now open alongside the new Blake car park and recent announcements will see Aldi relocate to the site to open a new format supermarket, subject to planning permission.
However, there is still some way to go before any building works get underway on the remainder of the site. The processes that need to happen are design work before contactors are appointed and construction starts in June 2019.
The council says the potential opening date for the complex is Spring 2021.
