Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet, Mid Suffolk Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: July 8, 2025

Purpose: To note business case then approve a preferred option (which may be to not proceed) and linked funding strategy

Content: It was RESOLVED: -   1.1          To Review the business case (attached as Confidential Appendix A).   1.2          To Approve the delivery of a new pavilion at Chilton Fields in Stowmarket in accordance with the existing planning consent DC/23/01323.   1.3          Approved the preferred funding strategy as set out in Confidential Appendix C.   1.4          Delegate authority to the Director of Place and Director for Property, Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing & Property, and Environment, Culture and Wellbeing to enter into an operational lease and award contracts for the delivery and use of the Pavillion.   1.5          Authorise the use of £520,000 from the budget approved at 1.3 to bring forward the project including the discharge of associated planning conditions from the approved scheme ref DC/23/01323.   REASON FOR DECISION   To realise social, economic and well-being benefits for the local and wider communities in a timely and cost effective manner, supporting Stowmarket as a growing town and the district as a great place to live, work and visit. 4. To ensure there is adequate funding in place to deliver the pavilion and associated works, and that opportunities to secure external funding are maximised. To enable delivery and the operation of the new pavilion ensuring public access to the facilities and responsible use of public funds. To ensure appropriate funds are available to progress the project.   Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:   Do Nothing/Defer consideration - The Council approved the initial plan in June 2022, but the pavilion's delivery has since been restructured. Deferring will mean losing identified strategic benefits while the current facility deteriorates further. A potential £1.597m Section 106 contribution (Ref: 5007/16) remains uncertain and some years away.   Build the original planning approved pavilion (8 changing rooms). Recommended (if full funding available and time/legacy value factors are paramount) - Deliver the previously approved pavilion design by Saunders Boston Architects, costing as estimated for a Q2 2026 delivery within Appendix C (Confidential). Layouts of all design options are shown within Appendix B.   Build an alternative design new pavilion. Recommended (if the planning approved design is considered too high cost and if the Council is comfortable with the addition significant risks) - A more basic/functional design by Barefoot Gilles Architects has been prepared for comparison to meet essential community needs. An estimate of costs is outlined in Appendix C (Confidential). A six-changing facility variant is viewed by clubs and users as limited in meeting longer term growth and sustainability ambitions. Any new design may less meet planning or stakeholder expectations for an exemplar standard building. An alternative option would take more time and resource to deliver and introduce new risks given a new planning application would be necessary.   Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None