WILTSHIRE Council has applied for planning permission to demolish the former Christie Miller Sports Centre in Bowerhill.
The centre closed in October 2018 after Wiltshire Council decided it would not spend the £1million needed to make the building safe for use.
Earlier this year, Wiltshire Council invited interested parties to bid for the freehold of the former site – bids included plans for a £50million leisure park from the owner of Boomerang Family Play Centre and the Bounce House in Bowerhill Industrial Park, Gary Cooke.
It was expected that Wiltshire Council would announce the successful bid for the Christie Miller site in mid-February – however the council says that it is still considering options for the future of the site.
Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for strategic assets, cllr Phil Alford, told Melksham News, “We have carefully considered bids from third parties to acquire this site and develop it, but none of the bids for the site justify keeping the old buildings in place.
“As most of us know, they are not in a fit state to be used and maintaining them is costing residents a lot of money.
“We have submitted this application to demolish the former sports centre to mitigate the costs of holding the premises, while we seek a positive outcome and consider options for the future of the site.”
The consultation for the application closes on 18th August. To view the application search using the reference PL/2021/07398 on the Wiltshire Council planning website – www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-building-control/planning
