Squash squeezed out: Councillors approve makeover to Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury which sees sport quashed in favour of new fitness studio

A makeover to a Newbury leisure centre which will see squash courts removed has been approved.

At a planning committee meeting of West Berkshire Council held on Wednesday, September 18, councillors voted to approve plans to create a new single-storey entrance lobby at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Northcroft Lane.

It includes a canopy which would cover bicycle racks, with new doors and windows, plus a roof top plant site with air source heat pumps.

Introducing the proposal, Debra Inston, the council’s principal conservation and design officer, said: “Attention is drawn to the fact that replacing the squash courts with the sports studios would be an internal operation, and it would not alter the overall use of the building as a leisure centre.”

She said the council had received 12 letters objecting to the change, which sees the courts turned into studios for exercise classes.

David Harman from Newbury Town Council (Lib Dem, East Fields) said its planning and highways committee wasn’t able to assess the application formally because of the timing of the application, but said it had received representations from disgruntled squash players.

“We want to reiterate the strong concern from local residents regarding the loss of affordable squash facilities within the parish,” he said.

“The provision of sports opportunities is important … we think there will be a real loss to our residents.”

Residents Nick Steele and Tom Westerman then voiced their concerns.

“I recognise the leisure centre is in need of improvement,” Mr Steele said. “My objection is solely around the eradication of the squash facility.”

The sport would be contested at the next Olympics which would lead to an increase in participation, he added, calling for a stronger collaboration between parties to find solutions.

“We do not need an expansion to the soft play area, we need to preserve the activities which will have more longevity than an enhancement of soft play.”

Mr Westerman said there were already ample gym and fitness studios in Newbury, but squash was “poorly provided”.

“We don’t believe there are viable alternatives,” he said.

Ms Inson reminded the committee that an internal operation, such as removing the squash courts, fell outside the scope of the planning committee.

Adrian Abbs (Independent, Newbury Wash Common) told the committee that he met his wife on a squash court and wanted the council to place his concerns on the record.

Other councillors echoed this view, acknowledging that it fell outside the scope of the meeting.

Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury) told the committee they were looking at a planning application for “a live facility” which took into account the needs of existing users.

Councillors voted to allow the refurbishment to go ahead.