Braywick leisure centre has licensing application heard at sub-committee

The operators of Braywick Leisure Centre, Leisure Focus Trust, submitted a licensing application to host sporting events, boxing or wrestling entertainments, dance performances, and plays.

They also wanted to play live and recorded music as well as sell alcohol on and off the premises until the late hours seven days a week.

The £33m leisure complex opened at Braywick park last year and was built to replace the ageing Magnet leisure centre.

READ MORE: Windsor & Maidenhead considering new drugs & alcohol service contract

However, since the application was lodged, residents lodged objections to the plans, fearing the noise will cause an “unpleasant disruption” to households who live in the area as well as disrupting grieving families at the adjacent cemetery.

One resident wrote: I cannot stress enough just how unacceptable these proposals are on the grounds of public nuisance. I and others cannot choose to visit our loved ones elsewhere.

“We are tied to Braywick; conversely the leisure centre and planning panel can choose not to allow this application and could suggest alternative venues for live music, indoor sporting events, boxing events, dance etc.

“Finally, supply of alcohol on and off the premises is totally unacceptable. How does this fit with a leisure centre next to a cemetery? It does not.”

Braywick cemetary is adjacent to the leisure centre

Speaking at a licensing sub-committee on Friday, September 24, Mark Camp-Overy, managing director of Leisure Focus Trust, said he has met with the objectors to add mitigations to reduce the noise, such as signage, supporting a council scheme to plant trees on the boundary to cushion noise, and train staff how to deal with noise complaints.

He also said this license will give the centre “flexibility” if community groups, schools, businesses, and charities want to host events at the complex.

READ MORE: Maidenhead: Huntercombe Hospital CQC report says 'requires improvement'

Conditions set out by Thames Valley Police were also accepted by the applicant, which includes installing CCTV, hosting no more than four boxing/wrestling events per year, cage fighting banned, and the police are provided with copies of risk assessments for any boxing/wrestling event 28 days before the event.

Cllrs on the sub-committee will now decide the application’s fate and will give their decision within five working days.