South Derbyshire District Council has officially released its new masterplan for the future of Swadlincote town centre, marking the first major update to the area’s development strategy since 2012. The document sets out a long-term vision to revitalise the town, with a significant focus on redeveloping the western end of the town centre known as the Civic Site.
The South Derbyshire District Council, working alongside consultants BDP and AspinallVerdi, identified several ageing public buildings from the 1970s in the area, specifically the Green Bank Leisure Centre and the local Civic Offices. The proposal suggests these sites be cleared to make way for more than 50 new homes, a hotel or bowling alley, new cafes, and a 1,250 square metre children’s play area. The plan also includes expanded green space around the Diana Memorial Garden and the retention of the existing Potters snooker hall.
Council Leader Robert Pearson explained that the initiative is designed to address the decline often seen in high streets by responding to shifts in shopping habits caused by the growth of online commerce. He noted that the goal is to attract more people to spend time and live within the town centre. Public consultation revealed that many residents had concerns regarding the proposal to move the Green Bank Leisure Centre out of the immediate town centre, an issue that influenced feedback on other parts of the plan.
To facilitate these changes, the council has submitted a separate £59 million planning application to build a new leisure centre and office complex at Cadley Park. If approved, the new facilities could be completed by spring 2028. While the council highlights that the move will save money on the maintenance of ageing buildings over the next 50 years, the masterplan will eventually be passed to a new authority when the current district council is set to be abolished in April 2028.
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