The existing community pool had reached the end of its lifespan, creating a need for a modern replacement that could form the foundation for wider local regeneration. The project needed to bring a broad range of facilities together under one roof while improving accessibility, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Located within a sensitive historic setting, the design also needed to respect surrounding heritage assets and maximise views across the landscape. Alongside the new campus, proposals were also developed for the refurbishment and repair of nearby Grade II-listed Melksham House, requiring careful consideration of heritage, refurbishment, and change-of-use requirements.
Although the scheme already had planning permission, we undertook a detailed review of the existing layouts and worked closely with the council’s leisure and sustainability teams to revisit key areas of the design. Through redesign and rationalisation, we created a more efficient and intuitive layout that improved navigation and accessibility, helping the Sport England-compliant facility become more dementia friendly and inclusive for all users.
The completed campus includes a six-lane 25m swimming pool with spectator seating, learner pool, six-court sports hall, fitness gym and studio, library, café, meeting and party spaces, and parish council offices. The design carefully connects internal spaces with the surrounding historic parkland, creating strong visual links to nature and the wider setting.
Sustainability formed a key part of the project, with close collaboration alongside Wiltshire Council’s sustainability officers leading to the integration of photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points, and other low-carbon solutions. The redesign achieved a four-fold reduction in carbon in use compared to earlier proposals.
The completed campus has delivered a modern, accessible, and highly flexible community destination that provides much-needed amenities for Melksham and the surrounding area. In addition to supporting health, wellbeing, and community activity, the development has created 40 new jobs and acts as a catalyst for wider regeneration within the town centre. The project has also laid the foundation for the ongoing transformation of nearby Melksham House, helping safeguard its long-term cultural and historic value while bringing it back into active community use.
