Latest designs for new Community Wellbeing Hub in Wonford revealed

Published: 28 February 2024

Proposals for a new Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub are going on display ahead of a planning application being submitted later this Spring.

The proposals for a new community hub have been developed following a long period of community engagement, and the initial vision and design is part of the Sport England funded Local Delivery Pilot programme Live and Move, hosted by the City Council.

The aspiration is to support more people to be healthy, happy and active every day, with Wonford being a particular area of priority to help improve the wellbeing and health of the local community.

Wonford is the most deprived ward in the city and has some of the city’s highest areas of physical inactivity and poorest health outcomes.

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, said: “As a Council we’ve always said that we want to put wellbeing and health at the heart of everything we do in Exeter.

“We have been working very closely with the community in Wonford on these plans. This building will benefit the local community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment to encourage wider participation in social, wellbeing and physical activities.

“There is still a long way to go and we still need to secure the necessary funding which will make these plans a reality.

“But the submission of a planning application will be another important milestone for this exciting project. Ahead of that, we want to continue progressing these plans with the support of the community, and that’s why we want as many people as possible to come along to view the designs at these drop-in sessions.”

The plans and latest designs for the new Community Hub will be available for people to review and discuss with the project team on:

• Thursday 7 March, 11am to 1pm, at Wonford Community Centre
• Thursday 7 March, 6pm to 8pm, at Wonford Leisure Centre
• Friday 8 March, 11am to 1pm at Wonford Community Centre
• Saturday 9 March, 11am to 1pm at Wonford Community Centre

Engagement with the local community over the last couple of years has highlighted a vision that includes:

• The development of a hub that brings the community together and improves the health and wellbeing of local residents
• Opening the facility outwards to the community rather than the current, less than welcoming building outlook
• Connecting the facility to Wonford Playing Fields, the Ludwell Valley Park and the wider city Green Circle walking route
• A list of activities and multi-use facilities that deliver the outcomes prioritised in the initial co-design phase
• The development towards a local hub for leisure and wellbeing activities led by the local community.

Anyone unable to attend the planned events will be able to view the designs and information on the This is Wonford website at https://thisiswonford.co.uk/what-wonford-wants/