Cumberland eyes autumn start for Cleator Moor Activity Centre

Contractor Thomas Armstong is lined up to design and build the fitness facility that, in addition to boasting a four-court sports hall, would provide a new home for the Copeland Occupational and Social Centre.

Plans have been submitted for the Cleator Moor Activity Centre, part of the successful £22.5m Town Deal bid for Cleator Moor. Those government funds have been matched by an additional £18.5m for the delivery of a series of projects, including a cultural community hub at Cleator Moor’s Market Square and an enterprise campus at the Leconfield Industrial Estate.

The Cleator Moor Activity Centre scheme would take the existing hub off Quarry Road and give it a modern refresh. The building would gain a multipurpose studio, a fitness suite, and a community café. Outside there would be a sports pitch and a routed running track.

As mentioned, COSE would move into the complex, leaving its home at The Ghyll in Maryport behind. The charity provides daytime activities for those with disabilities and can also help improve skills in literacy, cooking, hygiene, and maths.

The fitness facility is part of Cleator Moor’s ‘Healthy Town’ programme from the Town Deal award. Credit: via planning documents

Parking is also being boosted at the centre, with 38 spaces being added. This brings the total number of parking spaces to 49, with seven designated as accessible. There would also be space for four motorcycles to park and 12 cycles to be stored.

Cumberland Council is leading on the project, partnering with Alliance Leisure for its delivery. Roberts Limbrick is the architect and Greenwood Projects is the principal designer.

Pending planning permission, the council is hopeful that it will be able to start work on the centre in autumn. If that happens, the project could complete before the end of 2025.

Cleator Moor Town Deal Board chair Bob Metcalfe described the submission of the planning application “another important milestone”.

“The plans will transform the existing facility to accommodate a wider sports and more flexible activity spaces for the local community,” he continued.

“The ambitious schemes for Cleator Moor are moving forward and will provide sustainable developments for the benefit of the whole town.”

Cumberland Council Leader Cllr Mark Fryer threw in his own support, calling the activity centre “one of a number of exciting schemes underway across Cumberland”.

Fryer added: “Improving access to sports and leisure facilities has the potential to improve wider health and wellbeing outcomes in our communities, something that is a priority for the council.”

Cohesion Consult is the project manager for the activity centre. Furness Partnership is the structural and civil engineer, while CGP is the MEP. The quantity surveyor for the project is Press & Starkey.

You can learn more about the project by searching application reference number 4/24/2089/0F1 on the Cumberland Council planning portal for Copeland.