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Thank you to everyone who came to one of our our drop-in sessions or gave feedback online. We had a great response to our engagement with over 200 people coming to talk to us at the drop-in sessions and over 1000 visitors to this information hub. All the comments received are now being reviewed and will help inform the final design. 

In October 2023 Waverley Borough Councillors approved a revised capital budget of £31.1M to deliver a new build low carbon leisure centre built to Passivhaus certification standards in Cranleigh.

A new Passivhaus leisure centre is the opportunity to directly contribute to the council's commitment to be a carbon neutral council by 2030, in line with Waverley’s Climate Emergency declaration adopted in September 2019.

Cranleigh Leisure Centre currently accounts for 11% (323 tCO2) of the council’s greenhouse gas emissions. The impact of a low-energy Passivhaus building could reduce energy consumption by 50%-60%, compared to a typical modern leisure centre, thereby reducing long term energy costs.

Councillor Liz Townsend BEM, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development and Ward Councillor for Cranleigh West says,

“I am delighted with the decision this week. This a huge investment for the council and in the health and well-being of the Cranleigh community. A new build ultra-low energy Passivhaus leisure centre is the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the council’s commitment to become a carbon neutral council by 2030 and ensure that Waverley is financially sound with infrastructure and services fit for the future.

“It’s always a balance when investing in new buildings, but doing nothing, will in the long run cost us and the environment more. This is an exciting opportunity for the council and Cranleigh and I am looking forward to overseeing this project as it progresses”.

Over 800 people have taken the time to fill in the survey about the new Cranleigh Leisure Centre. The survey opened mid December 2023 and closed 19 January 2024. Responses from it will help inform the new leisure centre design.

Councillor Liz Townsend Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development, said:

"We were delighted to share this survey with residents and leisure centre users to help us design this new leisure facility in Cranleigh. The council is committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 and this project is a fantastic opportunity to lower carbon emissions and deliver a wonderful new facility that is fit for the future.

“I’m excited about what this new facility can offer in terms of how it will look, how it can be a hub for community health and wellbeing and how it can benefit the residents of Cranleigh and the surrounding villages. There has been some fantastic feedback and we look forward to using it to help shape the final design".