Planning permission has been approved for a new leisure centre in Telford, following a legal agreement that resolved Sport England’s initial objections, according to official planning documents.
The new facility, named the Captain Matthew Webb Swimming and Fitness Centre, will honour the legacy of Captain Matthew Webb, the first person to swim the English Channel unaided. Located on the former site of Telford Langley School in Dawley, the centre will also serve as a tribute to 12-year-old Joshua Lloyd, a student who tragically passed away after collapsing in June 2023.
Sport England raised concerns about the impact of the development on existing sports pitches. Planning officials acknowledged that sports teams using the site would face temporary disruptions during construction. After discussions, a short-term displacement strategy was agreed upon and formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), ensuring no permanent loss of sports facilities in the borough.
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According to planning documents, rugby league activities will be temporarily moved to Abraham Darby, while junior football will be relocated to Oakengates Leisure Centre. Once construction is complete, all sporting activities will return to the site, maintaining the overall quality and availability of sports facilities.
Sport England and the council’s healthy spaces team have now withdrawn their objections, provided that the agreed conditions and MOU are upheld. The project meets Sport England’s criteria by promising equivalent or improved sports provisions post-completion. Conditions have been set to guarantee the ongoing quality and maintenance of the pitches indefinitely in compliance with local policy.
Officials emphasize that the new centre represents a significant public benefit, addressing a clear strategic sporting need in the community. The two-storey venue will feature a swimming pool and a fitness suite, broadening access to local recreational facilities.
Last year, Telford & Wrekin Council projected that the new pool would offer more than 150,000 swims annually, alongside 150 weekly learn-to-swim places. The development is also expected to generate over 20 new local jobs.
Joshua Lloyd’s family fondly remember him as a cheerful and playful boy who enjoyed time with friends, bike rides, and playing Xbox. His sudden passing was a profound loss for the community, and his memory will be honoured through this new facility.