By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Opposition councillors were accused of political ‘tactics’ when moving to delay a decision on the new £9.2m Warsop Health Hub.
Mansfield District Council’s planning committee met on Monday (February 13) to discuss the hub, in Carr Lane Park, which was recommended for approval.
If approved, the single-storey building would be created by the council on part of the Market Warsop land and would boast a 15m x 8m swimming pool.
It forms part of the authority’s £12m Towns Fund investment, with £3m from the Government pot allocated for the scheme.
The council has confirmed £1.8m will be received from Sport England to fund the facility, while the remainder will be found from reserves and borrowing.
However, opposition councillors requested for the planning committee to conduct a site visit over concerns with the building’s access and parking.
It followed concerns raised by Nottinghamshire County Council, the local highways authority, about parking provision and access improvements.
The plans propose 51 car parking spaces, seven motorcycle spaces, 14 cycle stands and three covered cycle stands for employees.
The county council says this is marginally below parking standards and asked for a “more robust survey” of parking to be conducted.
The highways authority also asked for the district council to outline improvements to the Carr Lane access point, as well as provisions to prevent overspilled parking.
In Monday’s meeting, Councillor Phil Shields (Ind), who represents Warsop’s Netherfield ward, supported calls for the site visit so councillors can discuss these issues in person with officers.
He said: “I know this site really well and I still have no concerns about Warsop’s need for a leisure facility.
“I’m one of the biggest advocates for a leisure facility in Warsop. But I think it’s only right that it’s in the proper place and I believe a site visit is needed to make a decision.
“I don’t want people in Warsop to think I’m against an application for a leisure centre in Warsop because I’m not.”
Cllr Martin Wright (Mans Ind), who represents the Holly ward, led the calls for the site visit.
He said: “It’s very important everybody sees this is a local authority building, and we’re making a decision on behalf of the local authority.
“We ought to be seen as being transparent and doing our job properly.”
Councillors debated calls for a site visit before it was narrowly passed with six votes in favour and five against.
It led to ruling Labour councillors accusing the opposition members of “delaying tactics” and saying there was no need to defer the major hub.
Cllr Andy Wetton (Lab), who represents Meden, said in the meeting: “It’s quite clear we can make a decision. The access down Carr Lane is perfectly adequate.
“I just think it’s a delaying tactic that is unnecessary. We should take a vote on this application on its merit.
“It’s a pure tactic to delay this issue and it’s a political one.”
Cllr Bill Drewett (Mans Ind), chairman of the committee, replied to take issue with the use of the word ‘tactic’.
A site visit is now expected to take place before the next planning committee meeting on March 13.
It means a delegated decision scheduled on Tuesday (February 14) by Andy Abrahams (Lab), the district’s mayor, must now also be postponed.
Mr Abrahams was due to confirm Serco Leisure – which also runs the Oak Tree, Water Meadows and the Rebecca Adlington centres – as the operating company for the new health hub.
It comes after Meden Sports Centre closed in 2018 over concerns with its condition and issues with running costs.
The authority has repeatedly said the new hub is “not its replacement”.
In Monday’s meeting, Cllr Karen Hardy, vice-chair of Warsop Parish Council, spoke in favour of the plans and said: “It will have a positive impact on our community.
“What’s on offer is a health hub with a pool and other facilities, things desperately needed locally.
“Its proposed position is within walking distance of most of the parish and it’s a much-needed investment in our town.”
