Purpose

Following a comprehensive review
of current provision, analysis of future requirements and a site
options appraisal, this report sets out to agree the indicative
facility mix required in a new leisure facility for Trowbridge,
East Wing as the preferred location for that new facility, and the
progression of the project to the next stages of
development.
 

Content

I confirm the decisions set out
in the attached report to
 
i.                
agree to progress the project based on the facility
mix, identified in the SOPM.
 
ii.               
agree that the project should progress on the basis
that the new facility will be located on the East Wing site,
subject to the site and facility mix remaining viable at each stage
of the process.
 
iii.             
agree that the project is progressed up to the award
of the construction contract. The award of the construction
contract will be subject to a separate decision.
 
This decision was published on 1 June 2023 and
will come into effect on 9 June 2023.
 

Reasons for the decision

The
SOPM reviewed a wide range of evidence and data to identify an
optimal and sustainable facility mix for Trowbridge. The site
option analysis determined, that whilst there are planning and
build issues to consider, East Wing is expected to present the
least risk to the Council and is considered the
‘safest’ option in terms of deliverability.

 
Progressing this site to the next stages enables the development
of the project and will continue to test viability and
deliverability through all stages.  This
process is required to facilitate the final construction of the new
leisure facility and is the most prudent approach to
take.
 

Alternative options considered

In developing these proposals, consideration was
given to retaining the current facility mix.  However, evidence gathered by the SOPM has
demonstrated that this is not the optimal facility mix to meet the
project outcomes, including the delivery of a financially
sustainable facility.

 

Multiple sites were considered ahead of making this
decision. The consultancy team, which included architects and
construction partners, completed a site options analysis of these
sites.  Further consideration has been
given to progressing more than one site to the next development
stage.  This approach would
significantly increase the costs of the project and lead to
abortive works.  Based on the available
evidence, the Council is satisfied that the proposed site provides
the best opportunity to meet the identified outcomes, is the most
deliverable site and provides the least risk to the
council.

 

There is a residual risk that the next development
stage may identify issues that require a review of this approach,
with other sites potentially coming forwards at that stage.
Safeguards will be built into the project to ensure continuous
review of the approach.