The return to leisure facilities, coupled with an increase in usage of the district’s parks and open spaces this past year has demonstrated how important all of these facilities are for the health and wellbeing of the district’s residents.

Alongside the current improvements to the district’s leisure facilities, the Council is looking at how investment in open spaces can meet the growing demand for a range of outdoor activities.

Part of this involves the creation of Tachbrook Country Park, a new 56-hectare open space bordering Leamington Spa, Warwick and Whitnash, and the provision of new sport and physical activity facilities at Newbold Comyn, starting with changes to accommodate the demand for safe and local cycling.

Both Tachbrook Country Park and Newbold Comyn have agreed ‘masterplans’. These are outline documents that show the potential opportunities that both of these sites provide for outdoor activities including walking, running and cycling.

The latest to progress to a detailed stage is an application to create cycling facilities at Newbold Comyn. This provides cyclists with an opportunity to exercise on specially designed routes, moving them away from those areas where other users may want more peace.

The trails still allow both types of activities to continue to co-exist amicably by not limiting access to that area. A facility is planned where people new to cycling can learn away from the roads and enjoy using defined paths, avoiding alternative areas planned for greater nature enhancement. All of the cycle trails will be free to use, ensuring that everyone will be able to access these facilities.

Other plans focus on a new football pitch at Newbold Comyn and the creation of a new nature reserve, whilst an outdoor activity area is planned for later. All of these new facilities will cater for the existing users of Newbold Comyn.

For those from the community who are new to outdoor activity, it also offers an enhancement on biodiversity and a much larger area available to be accessed than when the site included a golf course.

Rose Winship, Head of Cultural Services said, “The Council aims to provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy and participate in sport, the arts and cultural activities.

“The plans for Tachbrook Country Park and Newbold Comyn will address the growing demand from across the district’s community for families to venture into outside spaces, explore new exercise ideas and allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and sense of well-being, now and into the future.”

Further information

• Tachbrook Country Park
• Newbold Comyn