New facility aimed at boosting activity in one of Exeter's most deprived wards
Exeter City Council has confirmed a £6m funding package for a new leisure centre in Wonford, a move intended to raise physical activity and improve health in a ward described in planning documents as “the most deprived and least active in the city”. The council says the facility will support local wellbeing and is expected to be built with money secured through developer contributions alongside additional backing from Sport England.
The original planning statement accompanying the application underlined the contrast between the city's wider activity levels and those in Wonford. It said Exeter was “one of the most active towns in England” while adding that parts of the city “are amongst the most deprived in the county and in these areas physical activity levels will be significantly lower”.
“people to be healthy, happy and active every day and to improve health and wellbeing in Wonford”
The council previously signalled its intention to begin work early in 2027, with completion anticipated in the summer of 2028. The funding was agreed by councillors in March and will be drawn chiefly from developer contributions – sums housebuilders pay to support local infrastructure – with Sport England providing additional investment.
What the new centre will mean for Wonford
Local campaigners and public-health advocates have for some time pushed for better leisure provision in areas of the city where facilities and opportunities for organised exercise are limited. The proposed centre is pitched not only as a place for sport and swimming but as a community hub where people can access activities designed to tackle inactivity and associated health problems.
Benefits set out by supporters of the scheme include:
- Improved physical activity: targeted programmes to raise participation among groups with lower activity levels.
- Health and wellbeing: resources and classes aimed at reducing long-term health inequalities.
- Community access: a local venue for clubs, schools and families, removing travel barriers to exercise.
Project timeline and funding at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding agreed | £6m package agreed by Exeter City Council in March |
| Sources of funding | Developer contributions and Sport England |
| Work begins | Expected early 2027 |
| Completion expected | Summer 2028 |
For many residents in Wonford, the prospect of a purpose-built leisure facility will be welcomed. The area has higher levels of deprivation compared with other parts of Exeter, and planners have highlighted that this is accompanied by lower-than-average physical activity. By placing resources within walking distance for many households, the council hopes to remove practical barriers that prevent regular exercise.
There are also wider economic and social considerations. Leisure centres can create jobs, both during construction and in ongoing operation, and can provide affordable activities for families. The use of developer contributions to fund local infrastructure is not unusual, but in this case the investment responds to an explicit local need identified through planning evidence.
Detail on the centre’s design, the specific mix of facilities and the organisations that will run programmes has not been published in full. Council documents and the planning statement, however, make clear the project’s central aim: to improve health outcomes in Wonford by making daily activity more accessible and attractive to local people.
As the scheme moves towards the expected start date in 2027, residents and community groups will be watching for more information on membership costs, opening hours and the kinds of classes and services on offer. For many, the success of the new centre will be measured less by bricks and mortar than by whether it makes it easier for local families to be active and well every day.
