Gedling Borough Council’s Cabinet has approved the facility mix for Carlton Active, the new leisure, wellbeing and community hub that will be built on the Richard Herrod Centre site. This marks an important milestone for the project and allows the team to move into the next stage of detailed design and planning.

The decision follows an extensive public consultation held over the summer, where more than 1,400 people shared their views on what they wanted to see in the new centre. Residents told us that swimming, gyms and group exercise were priorities, and that family-friendly facilities such as soft play were also essential. Many people also highlighted the importance of inclusive, affordable and accessible facilities, with strong support for Carlton Active to act as a true community hub.

Reflecting this feedback, the approved facility mix will include:

  • An eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool
  • A learner/teaching pool
  • A 100+ station gym
  • An assisted exercise suite
  • Two group exercise studios and a spin studio
  • A community room
  • A café
  • A soft play area for younger children

The Council is also in discussions with the neighbouring school Carlton Academy, its partners and the relevant national governing bodies about future community access to the existing sports hall and squash courts. While no agreement is confirmed at this stage, this work will continue in parallel with the development of Carlton Active.

The project is now progressing through to RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design). Alliance Leisure and Hadron Consulting have been appointed to lead the development under the UK Leisure Framework, which enables councils to access specialist contractors quickly and with confidence on cost and quality. Over the coming months, the design team will complete concept drawings, carry out surveys, and refine cost plans before presenting the designs back to Cabinet later in the year.

Alongside Carlton Active, the Council has completed a borough-wide Leisure Strategy review, which confirmed that investment should be focused on new, modern facilities at Carlton and Arnold. The strategy provides a clear framework for delivering sustainable, inclusive services that meet local needs while reducing the overall subsidy required to run leisure across the borough.

These steps mark a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform leisure in Gedling, creating modern and welcoming spaces that support health, wellbeing and community life.

You can read more about the project’s progress in our FAQ section.