Plans unveiled for energy efficient Horley leisure centre
Detailed plans for the new multimillion pound leisure centre in Horley have been unveiled by the Borough Council.
The planning application for the centre, which is to be built on the site of the former Court Lodge Secondary School in Court Lodge Road, was submitted earlier this week.
The proposed facilities include a 25 metre swimming pool together with attendant learner pool, four-court multi-use sports hall, fitness suite and dance studio.
The centre will also have male, female and family changing areas; reception facilities; cycle parking and parking for 151 cars, which is to be shared with Horley Town Football Club to maximise their use.
Energy saving
The plans include a range energy saving measures which will make the new centre’s carbon emissions some 30 per cent lower than those of the existing Horley Anderson Centre:
- a wood burning biomass boiler will provide the majority of the centres energy
- low energy lighting
- motion sensitive lighting controls which also change the lighting levels depending on the amount of natural light
- passive energy saving measures including natural ventilation, high levels of insulation and zoning.
The building has also been designed to allow high levels of natural light in order to reduce the amount of electrical lighting required.
Major step
Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Leisure and Wellbeing, said: “This is a major step towards the new leisure facilities that Horley residents have been promised and I am pleased that we are now able to present this detailed planning application for consideration.
"I am looking forward to the outcome of the Planning Committee meeting and more importantly towards the realisation of this exciting project.
“We wanted to minimise the new centre’s environmental impact and so the proposed new centre has been designed with both this and accessibility in mind.
"I hope residents are pleased with the final plans and the facilities the centre will offer.”
The plans propose that a double height swimming pool hall be built at the front of the site, along Court Lodge Road, with a sports hall at the rear and the other facilities located between the two.
An area of open space, with landscaping and plants, is to be created between the building and Court Lodge Road.
Accessible
To ensure the centre is accessible, the majority of facilities are located on the ground floor or are accessible by lift.
There will be ramped entry into the main swimming pool, using waterproof wheelchairs, and fully fitted changing rooms with ceiling mounted electrical hoists.
The plans also follow guidelines to meet the needs of visually and hearing impaired users.
Community input
Residents, sports clubs, schools and community groups were consulted on proposals for the new Horley leisure centre last autumn and their feedback taken into account when finalising the detailed plans for the site.
Some of the suggestions incorporated include better spectator viewing, larger changing rooms and improved shower facilities.
The planning application, prepared by S&P Architects Ltd on behalf of the Council, is now available to view on the Council’s website, at the Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, and Help Shops.
Members of the public have until 11 February 2010 to comment on the application, either via the website or in writing to Building and Development Services, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate RH2 0SH.
It is anticipated that the application will be considered by the Council’s Planning Committee in April (2010).
Background
The Borough Council bought the Court Lodge Secondary School site from Surrey County Council last year to pave the way for the new leisure centre.
Outline planning permission for the new facilities, plus up to 15 new affordable homes on the site, was officially granted in April 2009.
The new leisure centre will replace the outdated Horley Anderson Centre, which will remain open until the new centre is complete. The Horley Anderson site would then be added to the Riverside Green Chain.
The Innes Pavilion part of the site, which is currently used by a local social club and provides changing facilities for the nearby football pitches, will remain.
Last updated : 27/01/2010
