1. What has the Council approved?
Brentwood Borough Council has approved the principle of redeveloping the Brentwood Centre site. This includes:
- Refurbishment and partial replacement of the Leisure Centre
- Installation of up to three 3G football pitches with supporting facilities
- Car park reconfiguration and modernisation
- Early refurbishment of the swimming pool and changing facilities
2. Why is this redevelopment necessary?
The Brentwood Centre is a vital community asset but is in urgent need of modernisation. The current facilities are outdated and no longer meet the expectations of users or operational standards. The redevelopment will:
- Improve accessibility and energy efficiency
- Expand programming and community use
- Support long-term sustainability and carbon neutrality goals
3. What are the main components of the redevelopment?
The project includes:
- Leisure Centre refurbishment and partial rebuild to broaden services and improve user experience
- 3G Football Centre to address the borough-wide shortfall in artificial pitches
- Car park upgrades with potential for solar panels, EV charging, and improved traffic flow
- Swimming pool and changing room refurbishment as an early phase of delivery
4. Will the Brentwood Centre remain open during the works?
Yes. The redevelopment will be delivered in phases to ensure the Centre remains operational throughout. Disruption will be minimised, and clear communication will be provided to users.
5. What are the benefits for the community?
- Health & Wellbeing: Modern, inclusive facilities for all ages and abilities
- Economic Growth: Job creation, increased footfall, and support for local businesses
- Sustainability: Energy-efficient design, biodiversity net gain, and support for carbon neutrality by 2040
- Accessibility: Inclusive design, EV charging, and improved active travel routes
6. How will the Council ensure the project is inclusive and accessible?
The project will follow the Public Sector Equality Duty and include:
- Inclusive design (e.g. Changing Places facilities)
- Full Equality Impact Assessments at each stage
- Ongoing engagement with protected groups and community stakeholders
7. How can residents and stakeholders get involved?
A comprehensive engagement strategy is being developed as part of the business case, this will include:
- Public events, surveys, and workshops
- Key Stakeholder forums
- A “You Said / We Did” feedback loop to ensure transparency
8. What are the next steps?
- Appointing technical advisors and begin master planning
- Develop a concept scheme and business case for approval for full redevelopement
- Begin swimming pool refurbishment as the first phase
9. Why does the Council need to serve notices to current tenants at the Brentwood Centre site?
To deliver the redevelopment of the Brentwood Centre, the Council must secure vacant possession of parts of the site. This is necessary to:
- Enable safe and efficient construction works
- Ensure access for contractors and equipment
- Allow for reconfiguration of the site, including new 3G pitches, car park upgrades, and building works
Serving notice is a standard legal process that allows the Council to regain control of the land or buildings it owns. It does not mean the Council is unwilling to work with current tenants — in fact, the Council is committed to engaging with all affected parties to explore future opportunities for reoccupation, relocation, or integration into the redeveloped site where appropriate.
This step is part of responsible planning and ensures the Council can deliver the project in a timely, safe, and cost-effective manner.