WILTSHIRE Council has announced a delay on starting work on building the £25 million Melksham Community Campus.

It says construction will now begin next year instead of this summer as originally planned following preparatory work.

The council has agreed to continue the Melksham Campus project on a revised timeline due to the impact of COVID-19.

The campus project was one of the council’s capital projects that was recently deferred to 2021/22, allowing the council to align its resources to supporting Wiltshire’s communities recover from the ongoing pandemic.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, the council's cabinet member for leisure, said: “We’re obviously disappointed that we can’t proceed as originally planned, particularly after the fantastic progress the project has made in the last year.

"The most important thing is that this revised timeline will help ensure we can still provide the campus and that’s something we are fully committed to doing."

“We know what a positive impact the campus will have on the health and wellbeing of people as well as the local economy, and we’re determined to see our long-held vision come to fruition.

“While we understand there will be some disappointment from Melksham communities, these are unprecedented times and as a council we have to adapt to help ensure those who need it most are getting the help and support they need.”

Regular updates on Melksham Community Campus will be posted at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-environment-melksham-community-campus