Stretford Masterplan - Leisure FAQs

 

What are the proposals for the new Stretford Leisure Centre?

Back to top

The proposals include a new state-of-the-art leisure centre as part of the UA92 Campus Quarter, next to the current Kellogg’s office on Talbot Road. This would replace the existing Stretford Leisure Centre, providing a significantly improved facility. This facility would be owned by Trafford Council, and managed by Trafford Leisure, alongside the other Council leisure centres. Local residents would have exactly the same access to the new leisure centre as they do now.

But if thousands of new students arrive, some taking sport courses, they will use the centre too. How can you guarantee local people will have access?

Back to top

Trafford Leisure has carried out analysis which shows when the current sports hall, swimming pool and gym facilities are used most. The figures show that usage is spread out across the week. Even at the busy times – during the day on Saturday and Sundays – the swimming pool is only running at 25% capacity, while gym users still have more than half of the pieces of equipment available to them. It is this information that will help us to design the right size leisure centre. We also need to make sure the leisure centre is designed in a flexible way to allow changes as users’ requirements change.

There are some very popular children’s classes at the current leisure centre – will these still be run at the new centre?

Back to top

Trafford Leisure constantly reviews programmes and usage to ensure they can maximise the leisure offer, and any changes to the current Stretford offer would be discussed with those users in the same way as they are now.  It’s very important the community continues to love and use the new leisure centre.

What will happen to the existing Stretford Leisure Centre site?

Back to top

The existing leisure centre site will provide a redevelopment opportunity, but there are no current specific proposals in place.

Will there be any restricted access for the public at any time?

Back to top

There will be no restricted access for the public. Facilities will be available to be booked and used as they are now at the current Stretford Leisure Centre. We would envisage that students would use the leisure facilities more during the traditional university Wednesday afternoon sporting ‘slot’. However, there is no plan to give any exclusivity.

Will sports areas in total be smaller, equivalent or larger than current provision?

Back to top

The current concept design is larger than what is at Stretford Leisure Centre.

Are admission/hire charges going to be higher than current levels?

Back to top

Currently Trafford Leisure members can use any Trafford Leisure Centre and charges are the same at all facilities. Any changes to leisure centre charges are within the remit of Trafford Leisure which communicates with members directly in respect of any proposals. We have no reason to believe at this stage that Stretford would be charged differently.

The new leisure centre will be further away from the bus routes. Has any evaluation been done to see how the majority of people access the facilities?

Back to top

We’ve carried out travel analysis during a typical week and this reveals that the vast majority of people currently drive to the leisure centre. For example, on a typical mid-week day in November around 3.5% of people travelled to the leisure centre on the bus. By comparison, approximately 75 % accessed the facilities by car, 14% walked, around 7% cycled and 0.5% used a taxi.

What are the proposals for Turn Moss?

Back to top

The proposals are to lease a space of approximately three football pitches in size. This area of Turn Moss is currently unavailable for hire due to land conditions. We propose to develop additional and improved leisure facilities at Turn Moss, including new changing facilities and café, a new artificial grass pitch, improvements to drainage, a cycle-friendly perimeter path and children’s playground.

The current 15 adult football pitches and six junior football pitches would remain for public use, as well as the footpath around the site.

All proposals would be subject to the appropriate planning permissions.

Why are you allowing green belt land to be fenced off for private use by Salford City FC?

Back to top

The part of the land proposed to be used by Salford City FC is approximately the size of 3 football pitches and is currently unusable for much of the year due to flooding. Working with Salford City FC, drainage on this land would be resolved, so the team can train on these grass pitches.

The current 15 adult football pitches and six junior football pitches would remain for public use, as well as the footpath around the site.

The myth is that Turn Moss is being sold to Salford FC. The reality is that no land is being sold to Salford, the Council will remain the land owners.

UA92 Students will also use the pitches that are proposed for Salford as part of the University’s Wednesday afternoon sports time.

All of the clubs that currently use Turn Moss would have access to the same facilities as at present, but with significantly improved changing facilities, café etc.

Why did you not tell people about the deal with Salford City FC when you started this consultation?

Back to top

We have come to the community so early with these plans, that many of them are still being developed. We couldn’t mention the involvement of Salford City FC until now due to commercial confidentiality.

Will I be able to walk my dog on Turn Moss if these plans go ahead? Will it be fenced off?

Back to top

We want everyone in the community, including dog walkers, to enjoy Turn Moss. The majority of the land will still be open for use by the community with no fence around it. Only two areas will be fenced off:

  • The area proposed for use by Salford City FC will have a small (approximately 1m high) fence around it; and
  • The new state-of-the-art artificial grass pitch will also be fenced off with a fence approximately 2.4m high. This is normal practice for this type of facility

The fences would be green wire mesh in design which is normal practice for this type of facility.

Is any land at Turn Moss going to be transferred to Salford City FC or UA92, and how much as expressed in terms of football pitch equivalents?

Back to top

There is no proposal to sell or transfer any land to Salford City FC or UA92. The proposal with Salford City FC is to lease land that is approximately 3 football pitches in size. The current 15 adult football pitches and six junior football pitches would remain for public use, as well as the footpath around the site.

What will Salford City FC be able to offer the wider community?

Back to top

Salford City Football Club will have a community programme, details of which will be shared at the first opportunity.   

What access will the public have to improved pitches and changing rooms?

Back to top

The public will have access to the improved pitches and changing facilities when they book a pitch through Trafford Leisure.

Salford City FC will run a community programme allowing the community access to the area/pitches that are proposed for their lease from the Council.

What is the relationship between the Turn Moss proposals and UA92?

Back to top

It is proposed that Turn Moss would provide the sporting pitches for UA92. University sports traditionally take place on Wednesday afternoons. We would expect that in most cases UA92 would use the Salford City FC pitches, but they would also be able to hire the other pitches. The existing pitches are not regularly used for organised matches on Wednesday afternoons at present.

Will improvements be limited to the pitches used for Salford City FC and the 3G?

Back to top

There are no specific proposals to improve the remaining, approximate 15 adult and 6 youth pitches.

However, along with sporting National Governing Bodies and Sport England, Trafford have just published their Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and will continue to work with clubs and governing bodies to improve facilities as appropriate.

Will there be a request by UA92 to directly use any of the land/facilities at Turn Moss or Stretford’s parks?

Back to top

The UA92 curriculum is still being finalised. However, the university would not require the use of Turn Moss or Stretford’s parks for educational purposes.

We would envisage that students would use the facilities at Turn Moss and Stretford’s parks more during the traditional university Wednesday afternoon sporting slot. However, there is no plan to give any exclusivity.

Why does Turn Moss need a new café and play area when there are existing facilities in Longford Park that could be enhanced?

Back to top

Turn Moss and Longford Park are separated by the busy road and are therefore predominantly used separately.

A separate masterplan for Longford Park is proposed.

What options are there to upgrade the current sports offer i.e. Tennis/Basketball courts at Longford Park, Longford Athletics Track etc?

Back to top

A separate masterplan for Longford Park is proposed and would be consulted on separately.

What improvements to cycling infrastructure and facilities are planned, especially bearing in mind the new student population?

Back to top

The Refreshed Masterplan includes significant further investment in cycling infrastructure and facilities. These include further phases of work along the A56 corridor, A56 gyratory, Edge Lane and Kingsway. The council is committed to ensuring these improvements benefit pedestrians and cyclists as much as possible. It is also proposed that Turn Moss has a perimeter recreational track that would be suitable for walking, running and cycling.