£500,000 in funding committed to boost sports facilities project in town

Cabinet members at Mid Suffolk District Council voted to approve the £497,272.72 boost to the Stowmarket, Health, Education and Leisure Facilities at a meeting on Tuesday. 

The award, which has come from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), will fund a six lane, 100-metre sprint track, a separate 200m mini athletics track, as well as an allowance for future floodlighting for a second rugby pitch at the Chilton Fields site. 

The project in Stowmarket is being delivered in multiple phases (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council) Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “Since the conception, this has been an ambitious project but one that I am pleased to see we are making such great progress with.

“This funding will allow us to push ahead with our plans and deliver some truly great facilities for the people of Stowmarket and surrounding areas.” 

The project, which will total £2.4million, will reduce the pressure on existing leisure, sport and recreation facilities that has resulted from development and growth in population in the area. 

Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council) Mid Suffolk District Council is working with multiple partner organisations and sports club to deliver the scheme, which is being carried out in phases. A walking and fitness trail has already been installed. 

It will provide participation opportunities at all levels, from grassroots to elite levels of sport, for all age groups.

CIL payments are legally required from developers of residential sites across the district and are then redistributed by Mid Suffolk District Council to help local facilities keep pace with housing growth. 

Councillor Andrew Stringer, cabinet member for heritage planning and infrastructure at Mid Suffolk District Council (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council) The Stowmarket project is one of three to have received funding in the latest round. Almost £200,000 has been committed to work at Thurston Community College and rail improvements in the village.

Councillor Andrew Stringer, cabinet member for heritage planning and infrastructure at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “It is always great to see the next round of CIL funding allocated to projects such as these and the benefits that they bring to the local community.”