THE major redevelopment of the old Magnet Leisure Centre site becomes one step closer as developers submit plans to the Royal Borough.

After the centre and its car park, which is on Saint Cloud Way, is demolished, Countryside Properties want to add five buildings on the site – compromising of 439 homes – as well as new ‘green links’.

Out of that total, 130 will be affordable while the remaining 309 will be for market sale. The units will be a mix of one, two, and three-bed flats.

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The apartments are broken up into blocks A to D and includes:

  • Block A is broken into two buildings, with the taller element extending to eight-storeys in height and the smaller one at four-storeys.
  • Block B is predominantly three-storeys in height but steps up to five-storeys,
  • Block C is between two and five-storeys up to eight and 11-storeys,
  • Block D has a mix of four to six and seven and eight-storeys, raising up to 11-storeys at the tallest parts.
What the site layout could be if approved

What the site layout could be if approved

Originally, the developers wanted 450 homes – but following multiple consultations with the council, stakeholders, and the public, they decided to scale down the height and number of units after residents criticised the buildings for being too tall.

Residents also said they wanted to see more affordable home and improvements to the public realm in this application.

Countryside Properties are also proposing 350 car parking spaces, including five per cent blue badge bays, 20 per cent electric vehicle charging points, 439 long stay cycle parking spaces, and 32 short stay cycle spaces.

New ‘green links’ – which sees landscaping, trees, and shrubbery work – have also been proposed throughout the site between Kidwells Park, the Strand, and the Moor as well as improved connections to the town centre.

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Market Street - looking east

Market Street - looking east

In addition to the green landscaping, there will also be amenity space for future residents as well as a new children’s playspace.

Countryside Properties submitted the plans on February 17.

The old Magnet Leisure Centre closed its doors for the last time in Autumn 2020 where the newly developed Braywick Leisure Centre will take the Magnet’s place.