Doubts emerge over Melksham campus plans for indoor bowls

ANOTHER stitch has come loose in the plans for a new Melksham Community Campus, as it has emerged that the indoor bowls rink could be under threat.

Concerns are growing in the town about changes to the campus plans after Wiltshire Council last week failed to dismiss rumours that the indoor bowls rink would not be included in the development.

Campus plans were approved in May last year following a consultation with local people. But since that time, construction at the Woolmore Farm football and rugby facilities have run considerably over budget, so cutbacks will have to be made at the Melksham House site. It has so far been suggested that the GP surgery, Market Place improvements and now the indoor bowls rink could be affected.

When faced with the question ‘Can Wiltshire Council guarantee that an indoor bowls rink will still be built as shown on the current Melksham Community Campus plans?’, Wiltshire Council failed to confirm or deny the rumours.

A spokesperson replied, “Our campus programme will deliver a state-of-the-art community facility in Melksham which we believe will really benefit local people, who we have worked closely with to ensure the project meets their needs. Work is under way to deliver a new £7million facility at Woolmore Farm to provide new football and rugby pitches and a pavilion.

“We are working with the Community Operations Board and Area Board to establish what services will be included within the campus at Melksham House. The bowls rink has been integral in designs.”

Big changes to the site could mean that time would need to be spent changing planning permission.

To view the original campus plans search application number 14/00726/FUL on www.wiltshire.gov.uk