Wichelstowe Sports Hub

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Welcome to the consultation pages for the new Wichelstowe Sports Hub.

Located between Middle and East Wichel the Wichelstowe Sports Hub will include formal sports provision as well as provision for play and informal sports activities. The aim is to create a space which serves the whole community and encourages people to get active whether that be playing in a competitive league or just getting out for a walk along Wichelstowe’s canals.

The works will be funded by Section 106 contributions which is money paid by the Wichelstowe developers to Swindon Borough Council to deliver local infrastructure improvements and community facilities. There may also be opportunities to seek grant funding to support scheme delivery and allow a range of facilities to be delivered.

The legal agreement which defines how the funds should be spent, includes details of the facilities to provided on the site including all weather facilities to cater for summer and winter use including floodlighting, pavilion, car park and play areas. The pavilion will include changing rooms and potentially a community space and cafe.

The site is located within Wroughton Parish and the Parish Council are working alongside the Borough Council to develop the plans.

We are at the early stages of the project and the initial stages of the design work have been focussed on understanding the site by carrying out surveys of the site levels, existing trees and hedgerows, rivers and wildlife. We have also worked with consultants BDP to produce some testing layouts to understand what size facilities can be accommodated on the site.

This work has resulted in a suggested spatial layout, with a pavilion, car park and floodlit all-weather pitch to the north of East Wichel Way and grass pitches and the play provision to the south. The land to the east of the plan will be improved to help mitigate the impact the development will have on wildlife habitats and to improve the path network for residents. New drainage infrastructure will be installed including an attenuation basin with the details to be agreed with the Lead Local Flood Authority as well as the Environment Agency due to the presence of a river running through the site.

Before the detailed design work commences and a planning application is prepared we would welcome feedback from local residents as to what they would like to see included at the Sports Hub. We have also been talking to local sports clubs and welcome feedback from those we haven’t yet spoken to.

Feedback can be provided in the following ways:

  1. Fill in our short survey (around 5 minutes to complete)
  2. Add your feedback or suggestions to the suggestion box below

If you or your group would like to discuss the Sports Hub in person you can contact us directly at the e-mail addresses listed in the ‘Who’s Listening’ section of this page.

Once the feedback has been collected and reviewed, the design will be developed and the emerging plans shared with the public for comment. Updates will be added to this page and events will be held in Wichelstowe and Wroughton to view and discuss the plans.




Welcome to the consultation pages for the new Wichelstowe Sports Hub.

Located between Middle and East Wichel the Wichelstowe Sports Hub will include formal sports provision as well as provision for play and informal sports activities. The aim is to create a space which serves the whole community and encourages people to get active whether that be playing in a competitive league or just getting out for a walk along Wichelstowe’s canals.

The works will be funded by Section 106 contributions which is money paid by the Wichelstowe developers to Swindon Borough Council to deliver local infrastructure improvements and community facilities. There may also be opportunities to seek grant funding to support scheme delivery and allow a range of facilities to be delivered.

The legal agreement which defines how the funds should be spent, includes details of the facilities to provided on the site including all weather facilities to cater for summer and winter use including floodlighting, pavilion, car park and play areas. The pavilion will include changing rooms and potentially a community space and cafe.

The site is located within Wroughton Parish and the Parish Council are working alongside the Borough Council to develop the plans.

We are at the early stages of the project and the initial stages of the design work have been focussed on understanding the site by carrying out surveys of the site levels, existing trees and hedgerows, rivers and wildlife. We have also worked with consultants BDP to produce some testing layouts to understand what size facilities can be accommodated on the site.

This work has resulted in a suggested spatial layout, with a pavilion, car park and floodlit all-weather pitch to the north of East Wichel Way and grass pitches and the play provision to the south. The land to the east of the plan will be improved to help mitigate the impact the development will have on wildlife habitats and to improve the path network for residents. New drainage infrastructure will be installed including an attenuation basin with the details to be agreed with the Lead Local Flood Authority as well as the Environment Agency due to the presence of a river running through the site.

Before the detailed design work commences and a planning application is prepared we would welcome feedback from local residents as to what they would like to see included at the Sports Hub. We have also been talking to local sports clubs and welcome feedback from those we haven’t yet spoken to.

Feedback can be provided in the following ways:

  1. Fill in our short survey (around 5 minutes to complete)
  2. Add your feedback or suggestions to the suggestion box below

If you or your group would like to discuss the Sports Hub in person you can contact us directly at the e-mail addresses listed in the ‘Who’s Listening’ section of this page.

Once the feedback has been collected and reviewed, the design will be developed and the emerging plans shared with the public for comment. Updates will be added to this page and events will be held in Wichelstowe and Wroughton to view and discuss the plans.




Ask a Question

Do you have any questions about the Wichelstowe Sports Hub? Submit them using the box below and a member of the team will get back to you. We will aim to respond within 3 working days.

Please note that we may publish your questions and our response on this page so that it will be visible to others. We will not include your name or contact information but if you would prefer us not to publish the question, please note this in your submission.

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  • Share What plans are there to keep the noise levels and disturbance from bright lighting low? This is both from the disturbance to wildlife and to residents whos homes overlook the area. Why is the area not being kept natural for walking and wildlife as the rest of the area has already been developed we need more natural spaces? on Facebook Share What plans are there to keep the noise levels and disturbance from bright lighting low? This is both from the disturbance to wildlife and to residents whos homes overlook the area. Why is the area not being kept natural for walking and wildlife as the rest of the area has already been developed we need more natural spaces? on Twitter Share What plans are there to keep the noise levels and disturbance from bright lighting low? This is both from the disturbance to wildlife and to residents whos homes overlook the area. Why is the area not being kept natural for walking and wildlife as the rest of the area has already been developed we need more natural spaces? on Linkedin Email What plans are there to keep the noise levels and disturbance from bright lighting low? This is both from the disturbance to wildlife and to residents whos homes overlook the area. Why is the area not being kept natural for walking and wildlife as the rest of the area has already been developed we need more natural spaces? link

    What plans are there to keep the noise levels and disturbance from bright lighting low? This is both from the disturbance to wildlife and to residents whos homes overlook the area. Why is the area not being kept natural for walking and wildlife as the rest of the area has already been developed we need more natural spaces?

    T asked 16 days ago

    The area has been set aside for sports and play provision and will meet the needs of the new community that is growing at Wichelstowe. Natural spaces and wildlife continue to be important and as with the measures taken in the housing areas (large numbers of street trees, bird boxes, hedgehog highways, lakes, canals etc) ways to integrate measures into the development will be considered.

    Our design team have delivered floodlighting in sensitive areas and are aware of the needs to minimise light spill. New floodlighting technology will assist with this along with additional landscaping. 

  • Share Will the imapcts on local Wild life be taken into consideration. And if so, by what standards will these be benchmarked. WIll the community be involved in any decisions that adversely impact the local wildlife. on Facebook Share Will the imapcts on local Wild life be taken into consideration. And if so, by what standards will these be benchmarked. WIll the community be involved in any decisions that adversely impact the local wildlife. on Twitter Share Will the imapcts on local Wild life be taken into consideration. And if so, by what standards will these be benchmarked. WIll the community be involved in any decisions that adversely impact the local wildlife. on Linkedin Email Will the imapcts on local Wild life be taken into consideration. And if so, by what standards will these be benchmarked. WIll the community be involved in any decisions that adversely impact the local wildlife. link

    Will the imapcts on local Wild life be taken into consideration. And if so, by what standards will these be benchmarked. WIll the community be involved in any decisions that adversely impact the local wildlife.

    Gary M asked 18 days ago

    Yes, the impacts on wildlife will be taken into consideration. Our design team includes expert ecologists and one of our first actions was to undertake surveys to understand the wildlife, trees and hedgerows on the site. This work is also informed by the 20+ years of surveys carried out on the Wichelstowe site as a whole, and the ecological mitigation already carried out in the area to allow archaeological investigation to be completed a few years ago. The measures taken to support wildlife will be detailed in the planning application where we will be looking to achieve a 10% net gain in the biodiversity of the site. We will also explain a bit more about the measures being proposed when we share the plans publicly, prior to a submission being made.

  • Share Will anyone be able to use the facilities before they are ‘adopted’ from the developer, or will we all have to wait like waiting for the streetlights to be fixed in the adjacent streets! on Facebook Share Will anyone be able to use the facilities before they are ‘adopted’ from the developer, or will we all have to wait like waiting for the streetlights to be fixed in the adjacent streets! on Twitter Share Will anyone be able to use the facilities before they are ‘adopted’ from the developer, or will we all have to wait like waiting for the streetlights to be fixed in the adjacent streets! on Linkedin Email Will anyone be able to use the facilities before they are ‘adopted’ from the developer, or will we all have to wait like waiting for the streetlights to be fixed in the adjacent streets! link

    Will anyone be able to use the facilities before they are ‘adopted’ from the developer, or will we all have to wait like waiting for the streetlights to be fixed in the adjacent streets!

    SN1sie asked 22 days ago

    The intention is that the facilities will be brought into use as soon as possible after they are constructed.

  • Share Why has Wroughton Parish Council been chosen to manage Swindon's facilities? Wroughton is the other side of the M4 and has a different demographic of people to Swindon. It would be more appropriate for Swindon to manage the facilities and for any money raised to be kept in Swindon. on Facebook Share Why has Wroughton Parish Council been chosen to manage Swindon's facilities? Wroughton is the other side of the M4 and has a different demographic of people to Swindon. It would be more appropriate for Swindon to manage the facilities and for any money raised to be kept in Swindon. on Twitter Share Why has Wroughton Parish Council been chosen to manage Swindon's facilities? Wroughton is the other side of the M4 and has a different demographic of people to Swindon. It would be more appropriate for Swindon to manage the facilities and for any money raised to be kept in Swindon. on Linkedin Email Why has Wroughton Parish Council been chosen to manage Swindon's facilities? Wroughton is the other side of the M4 and has a different demographic of people to Swindon. It would be more appropriate for Swindon to manage the facilities and for any money raised to be kept in Swindon. link

    Why has Wroughton Parish Council been chosen to manage Swindon's facilities? Wroughton is the other side of the M4 and has a different demographic of people to Swindon. It would be more appropriate for Swindon to manage the facilities and for any money raised to be kept in Swindon.

    Marcus asked 23 days ago

    Swindon Borough Council is looking to work closely with Parishes on new facilities of this type across the borough. Both Middle and West Wichel are in the parish of Wroughton & Wichelstowe, including the land on which the Sports Hub will be located. 

    Wroughton & Wichelstowe Parish Council, in common with other parish councils, represents a large geographic area which stretches from Red Posts Drive in the north to Barbury Castle in the south, and by its very nature this covers a very varied demographic. This includes the 500+ and growing number of houses north of the M4. 

    The current public consultation is a way of improving engagement with residents north of the M4. Wroughton & Wichelstowe Parish Council are committed to specific, local, drop-ins arranged for Wichelstowe residents as part of the consultation, and are planning to hire the Community Rooms to arrange a Parish meet & greet for Wichelstowe residents. They have also requested and recently received permission from Waitrose to install a noticeboard near the Canal, so that they can keep residents better informed.

     

  • Share It mentions in the document of the need for ‘Secure fencing’ for the artificial pitch. Could there be some consideration as to a) whether this is really needed and b) whether if it must be cordoned off whether this could be done in a different way I.e. raised flowerbeds or low level fencing so that jt is more visually appealing? Research suggest the traditional football ‘cage’ and the noise it makes when balls strike it can be very off-putting for non-traditional users (Nero-diverse groups, novice girls etc). Some good examples of what’s possible within here: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk As well as wider considerations of how you can make sure that the space is usable for girls rather than becoming a male dominated environment. on Facebook Share It mentions in the document of the need for ‘Secure fencing’ for the artificial pitch. Could there be some consideration as to a) whether this is really needed and b) whether if it must be cordoned off whether this could be done in a different way I.e. raised flowerbeds or low level fencing so that jt is more visually appealing? Research suggest the traditional football ‘cage’ and the noise it makes when balls strike it can be very off-putting for non-traditional users (Nero-diverse groups, novice girls etc). Some good examples of what’s possible within here: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk As well as wider considerations of how you can make sure that the space is usable for girls rather than becoming a male dominated environment. on Twitter Share It mentions in the document of the need for ‘Secure fencing’ for the artificial pitch. Could there be some consideration as to a) whether this is really needed and b) whether if it must be cordoned off whether this could be done in a different way I.e. raised flowerbeds or low level fencing so that jt is more visually appealing? Research suggest the traditional football ‘cage’ and the noise it makes when balls strike it can be very off-putting for non-traditional users (Nero-diverse groups, novice girls etc). Some good examples of what’s possible within here: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk As well as wider considerations of how you can make sure that the space is usable for girls rather than becoming a male dominated environment. on Linkedin Email It mentions in the document of the need for ‘Secure fencing’ for the artificial pitch. Could there be some consideration as to a) whether this is really needed and b) whether if it must be cordoned off whether this could be done in a different way I.e. raised flowerbeds or low level fencing so that jt is more visually appealing? Research suggest the traditional football ‘cage’ and the noise it makes when balls strike it can be very off-putting for non-traditional users (Nero-diverse groups, novice girls etc). Some good examples of what’s possible within here: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk As well as wider considerations of how you can make sure that the space is usable for girls rather than becoming a male dominated environment. link

    It mentions in the document of the need for ‘Secure fencing’ for the artificial pitch. Could there be some consideration as to a) whether this is really needed and b) whether if it must be cordoned off whether this could be done in a different way I.e. raised flowerbeds or low level fencing so that jt is more visually appealing? Research suggest the traditional football ‘cage’ and the noise it makes when balls strike it can be very off-putting for non-traditional users (Nero-diverse groups, novice girls etc). Some good examples of what’s possible within here: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk As well as wider considerations of how you can make sure that the space is usable for girls rather than becoming a male dominated environment.

    Adam Henry asked 23 days ago

    We will need fencing to keep the area secure but we agree that consideration needs to be given to noise. Looking at the Sport England guidance the main noise source tends to be the voices of players but we appreciate that the ball hitting the fence is a different type of noise. The guidance indicates that some of this can be mitigated by good quality specification and installation of the fencing and that the ‘fence panels should be securely clamped with resilient fixings to avoid vibrations’. We will bear this in mind as we get into the detail alongside the approach to ground levels and planting.

    On your second point, we have actually already read the make space for girls report and the need to try and make the space inclusive has been at the heart of our early discussions with the Parish Council. The need for sociable seating is definitely on our list and we have been thinking about how to divide up the various spaces we have available. Thank you for flagging this up again so it is at the front of our mind as we move to the detailed design stage.

Page last updated: 06 Dec 2024, 09:16 PM