Timeframe – proposed Houghton Regis community and leisure centre consultation
Consultation closed: Wedneday, 16 February 2022
Consultation opened: Wednesday, 19 January 2022
The planning application was submitted on 16 December 2021 and will be considered by the development management committee later in 2022. The planning consultation process is currently ongoing and representations on the scheme can be made online (view the planning application).
Consultation and community engagement will start in January 2022 and will help inform plans. We are keen to receive your feedback on the proposals, and any ideas you have for the name of the new community and leisure centre.
You can meet members of the project team, view plans, ask questions and leave feedback in person on Saturday 29 January, from 11am until 4pm, at Bedford Square Community Library foyer area (in person)
If you'd prefer not to attend a face-to-face meeting, we'll be holding webinars. Through these online events, you'll be able to ask questions and view the plans.
- Thursday 27 January from 6pm until 7:30pm (online)
- Monday 31 January from 12:30pm until 2pm (online)
To sign up for a webinar, email kingslandcentre@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Subject to approval, construction of the new community and leisure centre will start later in 2022 once Houghton Regis Academy is closed at the end of the summer term. The new Houstone school is due to open in autumn 2022.
The government funding conditions mean that the new centre has to be completed in 2024, this is a tight timetable but our programme is working towards this deadline.
The new facility will replace the old Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. To ensure continuous leisure provision is available for residents, the existing centre will stay open until the new centre is complete. At this point, residents will benefit from the cutting edge new sports and community provision.
Once the new facility is available for use, the existing centre will be decommissioned. Future use of the current leisure centre building will be considered and when plans are developed these will be shared with the community.