Plans coming before Bracknell Forest Council to redevelop the former site of the John Nike Leisure Centre could leave the door open for the ski slope to operate again one day.
Plans submitted dealing with the land in John Nike Way, Binfield feature a large warehouse for storage, distribution and offices with associated parking where the ice rink used to be. But they also include the retention of the existing ski slope with a new access point and associated parking area.
Councillors at Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee were due to decide on whether to approve the plans at a meeting on Thursday, January 18th. Planning officers have recommended approval.
They say the proposal is essential to ensuring it doesn’t become impossible to re-open the ski slope again in the future. “The provision of additional parking to serve the ski slope is considered essential to ensure that this use is not sterilised, and its provision in the event that this facility is brought back into use can be secured.”
The Planning Statement that accompanies the application confirms that the ski slope and ice rink were closed to customers on 20th March 2020 in accordance with Government pandemic restrictions because of Covid and never reopened.
The facilities were fully decommissioned by 31st March 2020 and the ice rink element of the site has since been sold to the current applicant with JNL Bracknell (operated by John Nike Leisuresport Ltd.) continuing to own the ski slope and Jubilee House.
A report accompanying the application confirms that the operation of the ice rink had been loss-making for several years before the pandemic and the site has been marketed since March 2022 with very little interest.
In 2021 an application for prior approval for the demolition of the ice rink and associated buildings/structures was received and these buildings have since been demolished.
The application proposes the retention of the existing office building Jubilee House and the retention of the existing ski slope with the creation of a new car parking area comprising 16 parking spaces, including three disabled spaces, to serve the facility should it be brought back into use. A further 28 spaces to be provided on an area of existing hardstanding at the front of the site, would also be secured for future use in connection with the ski slope.
Binfield Parish Council objected to the proposal stating: “There is a massive shortfall in the provision of sports and leisure facilities for young people and teenagers in the Borough and, although the ice rink was used by people of all ages, it was massively popular with the younger generation and very well used by this demographic.
“Change of use of this land to business and warehousing will lead to an even greater, permanent shortfall in the provision of sports and leisure facilities. Indeed, it is difficult to envisage where else in the Borough this shortfall can be made up if this application were to be allowed.”
