An independent feasibility study has concluded that there is a strong strategic case for developing a new community Health & Wellbeing Hub in Minehead, marking an important milestone in plans to improve health, wellbeing and leisure provision across West Somerset.
Commissioned by Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) through Sport England's Somerset Coastal Place Partnership Programme, the study was undertaken by a specialist consultancy team led by Strategic Leisure Limited.
The study examined whether a new swimming and wellbeing facility could meet the long-term needs of Minehead and the surrounding area. It considered local health and demographic data, existing leisure provision, community demand, site suitability, long-term operational sustainability and included extensive consultation with community organisations and key stakeholders.
Its findings provide independent evidence that there is both a clear need and a significant opportunity to develop a new Health & Wellbeing Hub serving Minehead and the wider West Somerset community.
The report recommends the development of a facility centred around a 25-metre swimming pool and fitness suite at Irnham Road Recreation Ground, integrated with the existing Community Centre to create a wider community health and wellbeing destination.
The feasibility study supports and progresses work already being undertaken by Minehead Health & Wellbeing CIC and Minehead Swimming & Leisure, which have been working in partnership since 2025 to develop proposals for a community-owned leisure facility that improves opportunities for physical activity, rehabilitation and wellbeing across West Somerset.
In addition to this feasibility report, development of a Built Facility Strategy (BFS) has been commissioned by Somerset Council. The BFS report is supported by a Facility Planning Model (FPM) report assessing the supply and demand for water space within Somerset, which will also be published soon.
Jake Hannis, Deputy Chief Executive at Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership, said:
"We know from previous work that there is a shortage of water space for swimming in West Somerset and the soon to published FPM study will provide a quantitative, accessibility and spatial assessment of the supply, demand and access to swimming pools across Somerset.
This feasibility study provides robust independent evidence that a Health & Wellbeing Hub could make a significant contribution to improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people living in Minehead and across West Somerset.
The findings demonstrate both the need for enhanced facilities and the opportunity to create a sustainable, community-focused destination that supports people of all ages to be more active, connected and healthy. We are pleased to have supported this work through the Somerset Coastal Place Partnership programme and look forward to working with partners on the next stage of development”.
Bruce Lang, Chair of Minehead Health & Wellbeing CIC, said:
"This feasibility study represents an important independent assessment of everything we've been working towards over the past several years. It confirms that there is a genuine need for improved leisure and wellbeing facilities serving Minehead and West Somerset. We are grateful to Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership for making this work possible."
The feasibility study represents an important milestone rather than the end of the process. The project group, which consists of SASP, Minehead Health and Wellbeing CIC, Minehead Swimming and Leisure and Strategic Leisure will now use the findings to support the next stage of project development, including further refinement of the preferred design, additional technical investigations, continued stakeholder engagement and the preparation of future funding applications, including an expression of interest and then full capital funding bid to Sport England and other potential funding partners.
A public summary of the feasibility study will be made available following discussions with project stakeholders.