Concerns over future of Greenacre leisure centre
House builder Bloor Homes Southern is to apply for planning permission to redevelop the popular Newbury leisure facility
THE future of popular Newbury leisure centre Greenacre is up in the air again.
Bloor Homes Southern, a Newbury-based house builder, has confirmed it is to apply for planning permission to redevelop the leisure facility in Greenham Road, Newbury, which would see houses built on the current site.
The leisure centre has been the subject of intense speculation over the last year when a plan to sell the site to housing firm Rivar Homes was rebuffed by centre management.
Talk has again spread rapidly amongst the local population and users of the centre who are worried the existing facilities, which include the only indoor tennis courts in the county, used by hundreds of youngsters over the winter months and considered to be amongst the best courts in the south, will be lost.
Newbury resident Jennifer Gleeson wrote to the Newbury Weekly News to express her dismay over the plans.
“The club is very well equipped with tennis courts used by local schools, squash courts, gymnasium and studio classes catering for a wide variety of interests for all age groups.
“People go to Greenacres for fun and friendship as well as to get fit. Is it necessary to destroy an on-going concern which means so much to so many people for the sake of a few more luxury houses?”
Newburytoday.co.uk understands the site will be earmarked for up to 47 homes, with 17 of those to be low-cost housing.
Bloor homes land director Howard Pearce has moved to calm fears the facilities will be permanently lost.
“The proposals will include private and affordable housing together with the provision of replacement leisure facilities including a new purpose built building - with the capacity to extend for future requirements - and relocation of the existing covered and open courts from the current Greenacre Club site,” he said.
A public exhibition to consult local residents will be held at the Hilton Hotel, in Pinchington Lane, 3pm and 8pm on Friday, September 30.
A series of plans and illustrations will be available to view, with members of the public having the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments.
