To seek authority to award the contracts for the Woolmore Farm development in Melksham
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/05/2015
Decision due: 8 Jun 2015 by Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Campuses, Area Boards and Broadband
Lead member: Cllr John Thomson john.thomson@wiltshire.gov.uk
Contact: Laurie Bell 01225 713618 email: laurie.bell@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Consultation process
In 2011 an initial consultation on the Melksham Community Campus project was carried out. This consultation, undertaken by Melksham Community Area Partnership (MCAP) was to receive feedback on the concept of a campus facility. A total of 3,200 paper copies were distributed and an online survey was produced. A total of 1,023 survey responses, 14 letters and 33 emails were received, along with responses from Melksham Town Council, Melksham without Parish Council and Melksham CAP.
A further consultation went to 12,500 households as well as 3 open days and evenings, 10 local group meetings and a young person’s consultation. Results were presented to the area board on 29th March 2011.
The area board appointed a Community Operations Board (COB) to enable a community-led approach to developing campus proposals.
The area board put forward proposals to the cabinet for a split site campus; Woolmore Farm and Melksham House. Woolmore Farm would provide facilities for the town’s football and rugby clubs and Melksham House would provide other services and facilities including leisure, library, community pace, café and health.
Work to deliver the campus at Melksham House requires the football club to vacate its current site adjacent to the house.
The football and rugby clubs have been involved in the design of Woolmore Farm to ensure that the facilities directly reflect their needs. A business case was approved by the Football Foundation and a grant of £600,000 was awarded to support the future sustainability of the club (Appendix A).
Both clubs have agreed to move to the new site and Terms of Agreement are in draft. A letter of intent is expected shortly.