New ‘destination’ spa scheme takes a step closer

Work has started to create a new “destination” spa at Breedon Priory Health Club in Melbourne, Derbyshire – some two years after planning permission was granted for the scheme.

Derby-based project managers and construction cost consultant Armsons and YMD Boon Architects are heading up a multi-disciplinary team which includes fellow Derby business, structural engineers Jackson Purdue Lever, Birmingham-based mechanical and electrical engineers HBA and Ashby-based landscape architects Lush Garden Design who have created the design for the external areas.

Planning permission was approved in March 2018 for the project, which will see the demolition of the old golf club house and tied dwelling to make way for the new boutique spa facility.

The spa will be located on the existing footprint of the golf club building, which is located on the edge of the village of Wilson – between Melbourne and Breedon on the Hill.

The new facility will include treatment rooms, relaxation areas, pools, saunas, and steam rooms, along with a restaurant and a shop.

This will be followed at a later date by the replacement of another tied dwelling and the construction of six holiday lodges, which will be built from wood on the fairway to the former 18th green.

Breedon Priory Health Club was bought in 2013 by Sigourney Gates and her family. It has more than 1,000 members.

The Club has undergone a number of improvements over the past couple of years and now offers upgraded fitness facilities, along with a 14-metre swimming pool and outdoor exercise rig.

Gates said: “The addition of a new luxury spa to our already successful health and fitness club was always part of our long-term plans and will give our customers an exclusive facility, which will be unrivalled anywhere in the region.

“Our new spa will benefit both local businesses and communities through job creation and the increase in visitors to the local area.

“We look forward to working with Armsons, YMD Boon Architects and the rest of the project team on the scheme and can’t wait to see our old golf club house site transformed into something fantastic.”

Sally Walters, director at Armsons, said: “We’re pleased to be working on this project with our colleagues at YMD Boon and the rest of the project team. The scheme reuses previously developed land though the demolition of the golf club house and erection of spa on the same footprint and will provide a real boost to leisure and health spa facilities in the area.

“The introduction of the new luxury spa will make Breedon Priory Health Club the number one destination spa facility in the region.”

Shari Setayesh, director of YMD Boon Architects, added: “We have been working alongside Armsons and the rest of the project team to provide a series of innovative design solutions for the development of the new spa at Breedon Priory Health Club.

“We will be utilising the existing site to create a high-quality destination spa, which will help the club deliver more first-class facilities for the increasing number of local people and attract visitors from far and wide to the area.”