Plans have been submitted to create a new sports hall extension, improve a social area and create a new 3G football pitch at Redbourn Recreation Centre.

The plans, validated on April 10, would also see an upgraded artificial cricket wicket installed, along with two additional cricket nets and increased parking.

The new sports hall extension would consist of a 1,470m sq area and would feature a four-court hall, four new squash courts and an exercise studio.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Proposed elevations for the new extension.Proposed elevations for the new extension. (Image: DLA Town Planning / St Albans City & District Council)

The centre's café and social area would be extended, incorporating the existing terrace with a new outside seating area.

A new 5G football pitch would replace two existing grass pitches at the site, and can be partitioned to provide pitches for training and games for all year groups.

If plans go ahead, parking at the site would become available for 116 cars.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Plans for the proposed 3G football pitch at the site.Plans for the proposed 3G football pitch at the site. (Image: DLA Town Planning / St Albans City & District Council)

A planning statement, included within the plans, reads: "The opportunity to provide improved sports facilities, which create significant additional opportunities for community participation would reflect local need and circumstances.

"It is considered that the proposals relate well to the surrounding built development and will preserve the mature landscaped character of the surrounding area."

Six public comments have been made to the application with one, a resident of Barlings Road, stating: "This extension is very important for the local community and has my full support."

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Existing and proposed elevations for the recreation centre.Existing and proposed elevations for the recreation centre. (Image: DLA Town Planning / St Albans City & District Council)

Another, of Crouch Hall Lane, added: "The re-development of Redbourn Leisure Centre is long overdue.

"When you look at the improvements in local facilities in recent years across the area such as Harpenden, Batchwood, Cotlandswick, Westminster Lodge, Hemel and others it shows how tired and backward the limited offer at Redbourn has become.

"Redbourn residents deserve a major upgrade in the facilities available to them without the need to drive miles to access them.

"Providing a new home for Harpenden Squash Club is also critical.

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"Hopefully lots of new members from Redbourn will also take up squash with new first class facilities on their doorstep.

"All these sports are crying out for the new/improved facilities that will be available to them for many years to come."

The full plans can be viewed by using reference 5/2024/0245 on the St Albans City & District Council planning portal.