West Suffolk Council one step closer to securing trampoline park

09 Sep 2025

West Suffolk Cabinet are due to discuss the plans for the Olding Road site, which include a trampoline park, at its meeting on 16 September. 

In July 2024 the Council agreed to proposals that would see the former depot building converted for recreational and community use, subject to planning consent for change of use. The warehouse section (former NHS supplies building) was set to be altered for uses in support of the local economy and sustainable growth. 

The council and a trampoline park provider are now in the final stages of signing an agreement for lease for the disused depot. The leisure operator will be looking to establish a trampoline park and padel court facility on the site.

On Tuesday 16 September, West Suffolk Cabinet will be finalising plans for the Olding Road site to ensure the delivery of this exciting new attraction in Bury St Edmunds. 

West Suffolk Council previously agreed a capital budget of £7 million, funded by the Investing in Growth Fund and commercial leases supporting the thriving communities and sustainable growth priorities, to finance the project. 

However, the cost to complete the essential refurbishments across the entire site are expected to exceed the £7 million budget available and in light of the increased costs, alternative options have been explored for the remainder of the site to keep within the set budget. 

West Suffolk Cabinet will discuss the recommended option to refurbish the depot for trampoline and padel court use and part of the warehouse for an alternative indoor leisure use, then demolish the rest of the warehouse. 

A budget of £6 million is required to complete the works in the new recommendation, reflecting that part of the warehouse will now be demolished. Allowing the balance of the original budget to be considered for investment in Solar PV on the site, keeping the cost of running the facilities down for the tenants and generating a net income towards the cost of delivering council services.
This option means potential uses for the remaining demolished part of the site could be explored for alternative uses such as outdoor sports pitches, which would help meet evidenced need in the district.

The site had previously been allocated to be developed under the Western Way Project. However, the decision to cancel the project was made due to the additional financial risks such a large investment brought, especially during a time of uncertainty over council funding and the current cost of living crisis.

As a result, the council agreed additional funding to maintain, refurbish and improve the Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre further increasing the offer for the Town and surrounding villages. The council and Abbeycroft, who manage the centre on behalf of the council, have been working with consultants to develop proposals in line with consultation responses. Cost plans are currently under review with the aim to start refurbishment works later this year. 

Councillor Diane Hind, Cabinet Member for Resources at West Suffolk Council, said: 
“The council is keen to invest in supporting a zone for recreational and community use which aligns with our priority to help communities thrive through access to sport and leisure facilities. 

“The proposal for the Olding Road site in Bury St Edmunds, with the interest from a trampoline and padel court provider, and the potential to create outdoor sports courts, fits in with the surrounding college, skatepark and leisure facilities helping support this as a destination area, particularly for young people. 

“This is fiscally sensible, as it reduces current costs to the council and fixes issues with the building. We agreed to the original proposals for the site because they allowed us to be flexible with the future use. Due to increased costs and poor market conditions, we have had to reconsider options for the site and believe this is the best option that benefits our community.”

There will be activity on the adjacent site as contractors begin groundworks in September to form a new boundary between the retained part of the site and the development area.

Works are also progressing on the former baling shed following planning permission being granted in August this year. The former baling shed site is due to accommodate the council’s emergency planning and election store as a relocation from other council sites.

 

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