Revised plans for village wellness centre with swimming pool and café in Lavenham, near Sudbury and Hadleigh, refused

Revised outline plans for a wellness centre in a historic Suffolk village have been refused.

Babergh District Council issued its decision on the application for a wellness centre and removal of existing structures at Second Meadow Stables, in Brent Eleigh Road, Lavenham, near Sudbury and Hadleigh, on Wednesday.

The proposal was refused on the grounds the site is outside the defined settlement boundaries and because it does not provide a safe and suitable access due to the site’s location, ‘unsatisfactory’ footpath link or alternative travel options.

A previous application for a wellness centre at Second Meadow Stables was also refused.

The new scheme included modifications to the previous proposal, with a different entry point for vehicle parking, and included a 20m x 30m main building containing a swimming pool and wellness centre, separate café and treatment rooms located in place of the stable block.

Applicant Pippa Mullan said in documents submitted to planners: “At Lavenham Wellness we will work with and listen to, the community, local authorities, charities and other organisations to help support and improve all our wellbeing and lives where we can.

“As our offered services will consist of a fully equipped gym, swim spas, sauna and steam room, our target market will be all residents within the local area and visitors.”

Lavenham Parish Council recommended refusal of the scheme, saying: “The scale of the proposed development is significant and would materially alter the landscape.

“The proposed development is located significantly beyond the recognised boundary of Lavenham. Council considers that the footprint of the proposed suite of buildings is large scale and incompatible with the character and rural nature of the site.

“The parish council supports the concept of a wellness centre for the village, but this must be on an appropriate and accessible site within the settlement boundary.”

Brent Eleigh Parish Council also recommended refusal.

Meanwhile, The Lavenham Society objected, saying: “This application does nothing to address or resolve the reasons for its previous refusal. It is not located within the settlement boundary; it fails to provide safe or suitable access; it lies within the flood risk area; it lies within the Neighbourhood Plan protected views.

“Access to the proposed centre has no suitable footpaths, with no lighting, despite the applicant’s comments.

“The access also lies on a 60mph road. Therefore, all visitors would come by car. The applicant hopes to have 400-600 members, plus day visitors. Using 500 as an estimate, each attending twice weekly, this could represent an additional 1,000 car movements through the village weekly. Lavenham already has major problems with traffic and this would greatly exacerbate these.”

Support comments described the proposal as ‘a welcome and positive development’; while supporters cited the development’s potential boost to tourism, employment and the local economy.

One supporter said: “Having lost so many visitors due to the pandemic, the economy and global issues, anything that could increase the amount of tourists and visitors can only be beneficial to all.”

Another said the centre would provide ‘accessible wellness and fitness services for Lavenham within easy walking or cycling distance of the centre of the village’.

Two petitions were compiled in support of the scheme.

The application site is next to Lavenham Studios; a small commercial centre containing a range of compatible and complementary uses including a physiotherapy centre, acupuncture clinic and personal training facility.