By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
Ambitious plans to create a state-of-the-art leisure centre, a library and health services at Bitterne Precinct are still on the cards, but may be delayed due to the pandemic, it’s been revealed.
The ‘community hub’ in Bitterne, and plans to refurbish the sports centre at Lordshill, were unveiled by Southampton City Council (SCC) in February as part of a city investment package.
As reported, the council aimed to complete both schemes by 2025.
But the projects might be delayed as over the past months council officers were redeployed to help deal with the pandemic.
Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews, SCC cabinet member for finance, said city leaders will do their best to complete the projects by 2025.
“But it might be early 2026,” he added.
Detailed plans for the project in Bitterne are expected to be released in January next year.
• A new ‘Park & Travel Hub’ is also expected at Bitterne, after Southampton secured the maximum £1.225m funding allocation from the government’s Active Travel Fund. It will enable “people to park their vehicles outside of the city centre and access a range of sustainable onwards travel options including cycling, public transport and e-scooters,” according to SCC in November; more detail about this and other schemes likely to be funded from the council’s website.
Previously
Green light for ‘community hub’ in Bitterne
Bitterne Precinct. Photo under CC2 by Dave Jacobs
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