Marple Leisure Hub all set for planning

Plans for the new Marple Leisure Hub are set to be submitted in March, taking in feedback from the nearly 800 responses that have been received on the scheme.

Construction work on the new hub has been agreed with a single contractor to minimise the amount of time that facilities will be closed while the work takes place, which has been a priority for the local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Housing Colin MacAlister said: “I can’t wait to see this new facility rising from the ground.

“We will deliver a new facility which meets local people’s needs. That’s why it was so important to talk to as many people as possible – and I’m delighted that people have commented on how well we have done including people’s suggestions into the design.”

The Library will be closed for four days at the end of February (Feb 29–Mar 3) to allow for a ground survey investigation to take place, but the main construction work has been timed to start after this year’s Marple Carnival, making sure that it can go ahead as planned.

Colin continued: “This hub will be central to Marple’s community. We’re working hard to ensure that while construction takes place, we make sure that as much as possible is done to maintain community events in the meantime.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Lisa Smart added: “I am really proud of the hard work of our team at the Council in delivering £20 million of Levelling Up funding to make this project a reality.

“Our aim now is to attract more investment into our area, both to improve services for residents, and to make this an even more attractive area for businesses.”