The multi-million investment in public services and new employment space, to be delivered at neutral cost to taxpayers, is being led by West Suffolk Council on behalf of local public sector partners. It also includes a replacement of Bury St Edmunds' ageing leisure centre and new community health facilities on behalf of the NHS.
Morgan Sindall Construction was chosen under the Pagabo National Framework.
The Western Way Development brings together a range of partners from the public services and the private sector. Not only will Western Way provide new facilities for the community, but it will also make it easier for people to access community health and leisure services and at the same time improve their wellbeing.
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Western Way is also part of the wider programme of community hubs across the whole of West Suffolk. Mildenhall Hub, which opened in 2021, is already showing more use of leisure and library facilities as well as closer working between them, the NHS, the Family hub and a whole range of other public and voluntary services. A new hub also opened in 2021 at Brandon Leisure Centre and a hub project is planned for Haverhill as part of its town centre masterplan.
The development will use and recycle the old current depot building on the Olding Road site and with the use of renewables, such as solar and battery storage, will meet the ambition of being as far as possible 'off the grid'.
The plans, which will be delivered in a phased way, include modern facilities for leisure and health services as well as for the private and public sector. It will also integrate with public services already based next door in West Suffolk House and at West Suffolk College. Engaging with their users, the existing skatepark will also be upgraded and a new pavilion will be provided for the athletics track so it can operate as a standalone facility and continue to host competitions.
Morgan Sindall Construction and its supply chain will now work with Western Way partners and their professional team during a second stage of tendering for the scheme. This stage will also include engagement with key stakeholders to finalise designs and costs.
No contract will be awarded until the second stage of tendering is complete in early 2023, and ratified by councillors, to ensure that the council's break-even financial tests for the project are still being met on behalf of the taxpayer.
