Maidenhead & Windsor

New sport and leisure facilities could be provided for people in Cox Green, thanks to Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough plans to build modern facilities in the heart of the community.

Following consultation with local residents, community groups and site users, the Windsor and Maidenhead council has submitted an outline planning application for a purpose-built centre close to the existing community complex to provide a BodyZone fitness gym, aerobics studio, four team-size changing rooms for outdoor use and changing rooms for indoor sports.

There are also amendments to the council's planning application for the new Holyport Manor Special School on the Cox Green site. These show a new layout for the two floodlit all-weather pitches, which in turn allows for an improved layout for the grass pitches to make better use of the existing sports field. The floodlights would be directional and switched off at a fixed time in the evenings.

All the new facilities would be available for local people as well as pupils and students at the two existing schools on the Cox Green site and the young people who would be attending the proposed new special school.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council plans to submit a funding bid to the Football Foundation, and the new facilities will reflect the high standards required by this organisation's grants process and that of Sport England. Funding would also be planned through developers' contributions for leisure provision.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture, said this was an exciting opportunity to give Cox Green better sport and leisure facilities for the benefit of the entire community.

He said: "We are still in the very early stages and go-ahead will depend on the outcome of the planning process and also on funding from the Football Foundation. However, the council's plan to build the new Holyport Manor gives us a unique chance to come forward with proposals that will add considerable community value to the project."

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Grey said that public consultation had already played a major part in taking forward the proposals for Cox Green but there would now be further opportunities to comment as part of the normal planning process.

The planning applications can be viewed online at www.rbwm.gov.uk with paper copies available to view at the Town Hall and at Cox Green Library.

More than 300 letters are being delivered this week to local residents, letting them know about the leisure proposals, where they can be viewed and welcoming their comments.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead