Farnborough civic quarter

Outline planning consent granted 

Our Development Management Committee granted outline planning permission to the Rushmoor Development Partnership (RDP) for the civic quarter masterplan at its meeting in February. 

The ambitious regeneration masterplan includes proposals for the development of:

• A new leisure centre and cultural hub, including a library and community space
• Up to 960 new energy-efficient homes
• A new hotel
• Space for shopping and commercial development
• A replacement skatepark
• more than 1.93 hectares of green open space, including a high-quality central park
• Two mobility hubs, including a multi-storey car park, electric car charging points and cycle hire

The RDP, which is a joint venture that brings together the council and Hill Investment Partnerships, developed the proposals following public engagement in 2019, in the spring and autumn of 2021, and in May 2022 on the outline planning application.

Following consent, we will now be moving ahead with detailed plans for the leisure and cultural hub and the RDP will be drawing up proposals for the individual plots across the civic quarter.

Funding for new leisure and cultural hub

We have received £20 million towards the new leisure and cultural hub from the government's Levelling Up Fund. The announcement on 18 January, and the granting of outline consent for the civic quarter, means we can press ahead with our plans for this important development.

Our proposals in the bid included plans for:

• A 6-court sports hall
• An 8-lane swimming pool
• Fitness and spin studios
• Soft play
• Clip and climb facilities
• A dedicated library area
• A digital hub
• A range of multi-purpose community rooms
• A dedicated gallery and community gallery space as well as collaborative spaces for art projects 

The aim of the scheme is to provide spaces that are flexible and multi-purpose. The sports hall will include an area for tiered seating, as well as acoustic separation to create performance space. There will be a large café on the ground floor. 

Overall, the scheme will help to address local health and cultural inequalities.

For more details, please see the full bid. 

A vision for the civic quarter

Together, the regeneration proposals will create a vibrant mixed-use space, providing new opportunities for town centre living alongside active ground floor uses, such as cafes and restaurants along with the leisure centre, library and community space.

The new central park will become the focal point for events and a place to meet friends, while improved pedestrian links will help to join up the town centre and the wider area, including the Farnborough business park.

Overall, the scheme will help to encourage a sense of community, health and wellbeing, and connection, with a greater focus on arts and culture and promoting sustainability, as well as increasing footfall and local spend in the town centre.

About the civic quarter site

The civic quarter sits to the south of Farnborough town centre and is currently home to Farnborough library, the former leisure centre, which is being demolished, the council offices, Westmead House offices, the skate park, surface car parks, public open space and the now-demolished Elles Hall and police station.

Heart of Farnborough group

If you are community-focused, want to make the best of your town and get involved with local events, then please consider joining our Heart of Farnborough Group. Visit our Heart of Farnborough group page for more information and to sign up to take part.