Last updated 16th July 2001
Sports Centre Plan Approved

Plans for a Sports Centre on the edge of town have been given the go-ahead by Government-appointed planning inspector Christopher Jarvis.

Archers Spring

The controversial development, which was approved by East Herts District Council in April 2000, includes a complex of tennis courts and other leisure facilities on the 30 acre site of Archers Spring, next to the Sele Farm housing estate.

Membership of the Archer's Spring club will cost up to £50, but local schools and colleges will be offered 350 hours a year free court time. The club will employ 65 full-time staff and 35 part-time.

The centre is the brainchild of Davis Cup captain David Lloyd and the 11.5m high building will include four tennis courts, a swimming pool, three squash courts and a gymnasium. Also included are a function suite, creche and beauty salon. There will also be an external swimming pool, volleyball and basketball pitches, a golf driving rane and parking for 250 cars. David Lloyd is chairman of Next Generation, a company set up with his son Scott. In 1999 his chain of health and fitness centres was sold to Whitbread.

Troubled Site

The Welwyn Road site of Archers Spring has a troubled history of gypsy invasions and unfulfilled plans. After ten years of laying derelict, it was three times invaded by gypsies, leading to loud protests by local residents of the nearby Bentley Road. Groundwork to prepare the site for a leisure facility originally began in June 1997, but was halted a few months later following the arrival of more gypsies. In 1998, the developer successfully applied for more time to complete the groundworks, but work ceased late in the year when asbestos was discovered on the site. Since then the site has been abandoned. The site's then owner, Craig Ravenscoft, sold it in 1999 to Colin Sullivan, a local property developer.