Plans have been given the green light to part-demolish and redevelop "South Cheshire's premier athletics venue," located in Crewe.

Plans to extend and adapt The Cumberland Arena, Thomas Street, were approved this July, with the scheme led by Cheshire East Council and Everybody Health and Leisure.

Part of the existing building at the arena will be demolished, with a new two-storey extension to be built, providing a reception area.

Part of the existing building at The Cumberland Arena will be demolished, with a new two-storey extension to be built (Everybody Health & Leisure).

There will be three new multi-functional studio spaces and better facilities for spectators, including covered seating.

A new accessible changing area, extra car parking spaces, a new storage compound, and electric vehicle charging points will also be provided.

Access to the site for pedestrians and cyclists will be improved, with a new pedestrian entrance and bike shelters included in the works.

Vice chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, Cllr Judy Snowball, said: "The Cumberland Arena already boasts excellent leisure and training facilities, not least its athletics track and A-grade grass football pitch.

"This scheme will further cement is as South Cheshire's premier athletics venue for the benefit of both the local community and the wider area.

Vice chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, Cllr Judy Snowball (Cheshire East Council).

"The new studio spaces will be fantastic resources and complement the studio activities already available at the nearby Lifestyle Centre.

"They will allow more health and wellbeing related activities to be delivered.

"I am sure the greatly enhanced spectator facilities, with covered seating, will be welcomed by those viewing events."  

The new Cumberland building has been designed to support the council's ambition to be carbon neutral as an organisation by 2025.

It includes LED lighting and solar panels, and will be heated via air source heat pumps. 

There will be three new multi-functional studio spaces and better facilities for spectators, including covered seating (Cheshire East Planning).

There will also be 'living walls' and a 'rain garden', which will support sustainable drainage within the site.

Works on the project are currently expected to begin by the end of the year.

Chief executive of Everybody Health & Leisure, Tom Barton, added: "This project demonstrates our commitment to delivering enhanced health and wellbeing opportunities for the residents of Crewe and compliments the recent gym refurbishment at the Lifestyle Centre.

"By making these improvements to the Cumberland Arena, we will now be able to operate the venue seven-days a week.

"We will be providing modern and accessible meeting spaces for our targeted health and wellbeing programmes as well as educational, social and other community groups."

The Cumberland Arena scheme is one of nine Crewe projects being supported by the government's Towns Fund (Everybody Health & Leisure).

The Cumberland Arena scheme is one of nine Crewe projects being supported by the government's Towns Fund, with the town receiving £22.9m of funding.

For information about the other eight projects being supported by the Towns Fund in Crewe, click HERE.

READ MORE: Motorists to be hit with three-way traffic lights at busy Crewe junction.

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