Bradford Council submits plans for a £28m leisure centre with two pools

Plans have been submitted for a new £28m leisure centre in Bradford. Bradford Council wants to build the facility in the city’s Squire Lane, near Bradford Hospital.

Proposals for the Squire Lane Heath and Wellbeing centre include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, an adjustable learner pool and a health club with a large gym floor, two group exercise studios and a separate indoor cycling area. The planning application is the latest milestone in the development, following public consultation in March, which saw plans for the facility unveiled to residents and other stakeholders.

Alongside the planning application, work is being done to optimise the design and develop final costings.

If planning is granted, a detailed procurement process will need to be undertaken along with further financial evaluation of the scheme’s viability prior to the council’s executive being asked to make a final determination on if the scheme should proceed.

The project will be paid for in part using £20m of Levelling Up funding from the government.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We’ve always wanted to provide a sport and leisure facility for this part of the district. The recent public consultation gave the community the opportunity to find out more about the plans and provide feedback on the proposals.

“It’s good to see the project staying on the critical path for delivery and moving on to the next phase of development.

“Obviously, there’s still some way to go before we get to a final decision. We’re pleased to have retained the £20 million grant funding for this pool.

Going through this next stage of development will start to more accurately assess the ongoing running costs of a new facility, which we need to have before any final decision can be made on construction.