Campus plans ‘on schedule’

PLANS for Melksham’s Health and Wellbeing Centre are currently on schedule, with the business case expected to be presented to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet next week for approval.

At the Melksham Area Board meeting in October, Wiltshire Council shared an estimated timeline for the planning and building process of the centre, which  is expected to open in January 2021. According to the timeline, the business case will seek approval from Wiltshire Council’s cabinet this month.

Communications officer for Wiltshire Council, Sean Chacksfield confirmed, “The business case has been drafted and is working its way through our internal review process. It’s still intended this will go forward to cabinet on Tuesday 12th December.”

Plans unveiled at the meeting revealed new facilities that included a swimming pool, fitness suite, library/ community hub, sports hall, squash courts, a GP surgery, outdoor bowls, a cricket pitch, tennis court and a café, and office accommodation.

The plans also included a new residential development that will help to fund the new centre.

Estimated Timeline

Business case  Nov – Dec 2017

Approval – Dec 2017  Jan 2018

Appoint design team  Jan – Feb 2018

Final design concept  Feb – April 2018

Cost plan 1  March – April 2018

Update surveys  Feb – Jun 2018

Developed design and Planning information  April – July 2018

Cost plan 2  June – July 2018

Wiltshire review scheme: Final sign-off  June – July 2018

Planning  July 2018 – Jan 2019

OJEU process tender Main contractor  Oct 2018 – April 2019

Review and Award of contract  April – June 2019

Mobilisation period  June 2019

Construction commences  July 2019

18-month build process  Until Jan 21