New £2 million sports centre planned at Elsenham

Monday, 23rd November 2009

The construction of a new £2 million sports facility in Elsenham has been given approval by councillors. The Development Control Committee of the Uttlesford District Council collectively endorsed the application of Elsenham Golf and Leisure to build a public sports complex on its Hall Road Site. The construction is expected to commence during spring and would take about six months to finish.

The original proposal was earlier rejected in May by the council’s planning committee because the proposed site is part of a protected green zone designed to prevent erosion around Stansted Airport. But the new plan of the infrastructure, approximately 200sqm smaller than the previous proposal, was nodded through.

The planned facility will consist of health centre, sports hall, squash courts, swimming pool, restaurant and 40 parking spaces. Speaking at the assembly, Janice Loughlin said that the modern complex will be Elsenham’s asset and is badly needed in the village. Owner Colin Pharoah backed up Loughlin’s comment, saying that the new centre will be a valuable resource for Elsenham and the wider community.

The golf club, which now has 700 members and nine-hole course, stretches over a 35-hectare site. The modern facility is expected to create at least 20 new jobs and to help address the sports complex needs of airport workers at Stansted.

Pharoah informed that the new facility is vital for the golf club’s short and long-term future. With golf clubs being extremely seasonal, the modern sports centre will sustain the club all year round. He further added that all facilities will be open to everyone, whether a non-member or member.

← British Airways kicks off second leg of its Face-to-Face cam
→ easyJet in-flight magazine pulled due to inappropriate image
↑ November 2009 news index

Compare Airport Parking & Hotels