News

After many years of thinking approval was on the horizon, and being disappointed so many times, we have finally got there. On January 11th 2022, East Suffolk Council unanimously approved our Phase One planning application. This will deliver an all-weather, floodlit, 3G pitch and a full-size grass pitch made to rugby match standard.

The plans also include parking, footpaths and cycle routes across the site, a new entrance and drainage.

Funds are in place for this first phase. Some detail needs to be filled in following this first approval but we hope to see activity begin on the site this summer.

To see the details, follow these links.

https://publicaccess.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QMERTJQXH3100&activeTab=summary

This is only the first phase. A second planning application will follow later this year for the sports centre building which will house 50+ station gym, indoor and outdoor changing rooms, cafe and two studios which can be made into one. Additional landscaping will accommodate outdoor seating, performance space and a trim trail around the site. Although substantial funding is available for this phase, there is a need for more fundraising which, following the success of phase one plans, we can get now tackle with confidence.

We are holding a public exhibition to display details of our current and future planning applications. All members of the public are welcome to come and see, share their thoughts, and maybe get involved. We look forward to seeing you there.

Saturday September 18th, 2021, 11 am – 4 pm, at the Rifle Hall.

Coastal Leisure Learning have recently announced their programme of courses for 2019/20 including a selection to be run at the Skills Centre, details of which can be found here.

Further to the previous updates provided in Halesworth Community News, Suffolk County Council recently decided they would not complete the lease agreement for the Skills Centre with Halesworth Campus but instead are proposing to offer direct tenancy to Suffolk New College.

We are very disappointed by this decision as we fear it may reduce potential use of the Skills Centre building by the wider community, but we will work constructively with Suffolk New College to try and make their tenancy work well for everybody.

At the same time we heard of the Council’s decision we were also informed by the National Lottery that our application for a grant of £10,000 to equip the Skills Centre with fibre broadband and WiFi had been successful. Regrettably we had to decline the grant as the terms of our application were no longer consistent with what the Council are proposing.

The Trustees of Halesworth Campus regret that Hilary Garner has decided to step down from the board due to conflicting priorities. We would like to express our gratitude for all she has done on our behalf and wish her well in her other ventures.

We are keen to fill this vacancy, especially with someone who can bring Communication or PR skills. If you are interested, or if you’d like to find out more about what the role entails, please contact Joyce Moseley (joyce.moseley5@gmail.com).

The Campus is hosting another season of Touch Rugby during June and July. Our thanks to Southwold Rugby Club for bringing this popular activity to Halesworth.

During the summer holiday activities for children are being run at The Campus by Go Geronimo again this year. There will be five sessions, on Wednesdays from 10am till 1.00pm, starting on July 31st.

The two tennis courts on The Campus are available for use all through the summer, free of charge! Booking is through the ‘contact’ page on this website.

To round up the summer we are hoping that Stocks Funfair will be setting up on The Campus for week commencing 23rd September. Residents will remember that the funfair was based in Angel Link carpark for many years, but has recently been absent. Watch this space!!