THE transformation of Lampeter sports centre into a well-being facility has been granted planning permission despite local concerns that some sports clubs would become “homeless” by reducing the size of the sports hall as part of the scheme.

Ceredigion County Council’s application for a full refurbishment of the majority of internal spaces and a change of layout – which results in the reduction in the size of the existing sports hall – was discussed at development control on Wednesday, 9 March.

Lampeter Town Council objected to the reduction in the sports hall size, as did a local netball club, 18 residents, and county councillors Ivor Williams and Hag Harries.

A petition against the changes, which would mean that the leisure centre will no longer have a full size, indoor netball court, basketball court, five a side football pitch, volleyball court - and will also see a reduction in the number of badminton courts - attracted more than 600 signatures.

A cabinet decision was taken in December 2020 for Lampeter Leisure Centre to become the first well-being centre after the pandemic delayed plans and ruled out other sites such as Plascrug in Aberystwyth which was repurposed as a Covid hospital.

Under the plans, new ground floor and first floor spaces will be created, a report to committee states, and it will include an open plan reception area, new gym and fitness suite, consulting rooms, sports hall, teaching room, spin studio, kitchen and outdoor seating balcony area.

External signage mirrored glazing and sliding doors were also approved.

The committee were told the changes to the building facades were the “sole material planning consideration” and the internal alterations and changes in floorspace did not require planning permission for a change of use.

Use of other sporting facilities in the surrounding area were highlighted to the committee with a partnership with the university to be developed.

“Whilst it is acknowledged that some indoor sporting provision is lost by way of the sports hall reduction (this will be further explored below), it is felt that the wider health and wellbeing benefits to all residents – mental, physical, social and beyond – facilitated by the internal changes vastly outweigh these concerns,” a planning report states.

The application was approved 10 votes for with two abstentions.

Ceredigion council said that a “significant amount of work and investment is to be made at the leisure centre which will improve the facility and the resources for years to come.”