Latest news
10 July 2026
Big changes are happening on site, with the pools, balance tanks and building foundations all becoming easier to spot as construction progresses. Recent work has focused on preparing the pool structures, installing foundations for the main building and starting work on the new lift shaft.
There’s also a splash of colour around the site, with new hoardings featuring artwork created by pupils from Milton Park Primary School now being installed.
26 June 2026
Things are starting to look a bit more recognisable at Bransbury Park, with both pools now fully dug out and foundation work well underway. The team has been busy preparing the structures that will support the new leisure centre, while also uncovering some fascinating historical finds along the way.
There’s also good news for local families, with the new play area now open following the completion of safety checks.
12 June 2026
Work on the new Bransbury Park Leisure Centre remains on schedule, with foundations continuing to take shape as piling works progress across the site. A new temporary site office has also been installed to support the growing construction team.
Recent work has included specialist excavation, groundwater management and the completion of key underground drainage connections. The project team has also been supporting neighbouring community groups, including providing surveying expertise to help with plans to refurbish the Bransbury Park miniature railway.
29 May 2026
Construction of the new Bransbury Park Leisure Centre continues to make good progress, with major groundwork and sheet piling now underway. The team is also taking steps to minimise disruption, including dust control measures and regular road sweeping.
Meanwhile, the new play area is entering its final stages and remains on track to open before the summer holidays.
10 May 2026
Construction of the new facilities at Bransbury Park is now moving into its main phase, with work on site beginning from 11 May. Early preparation has included installing hoarding along Bransbury Road, setting up a main site entrance, and connecting the site to drainage. Over the coming weeks, temporary sheet piling will be installed to help manage groundwater, using equipment designed to reduce noise and disruption. Residents nearby have been contacted directly by the contractor, Willmott Dixon, who have confirmed that vibration levels will remain well within safe limits.
We know access around parts of the park has been limited during these early stages. To improve this, a new temporary route for cyclists and pedestrians will be created along the northern edge of the site, helping people move safely between the park and the main road. This route is expected to open in the coming weeks. Elsewhere in the park, good progress is being made on the new play area, with work continuing and grass being established before it can open to the public.
26 April 2026
Activity is currently taking place at Bransbury Park as part of the enabling phase of the project. Willmott Dixon is the appointed contractor on site. Hoardings are now in place along the front of the site, with Heras fencing around other areas, to meet safety requirements and protect people using the park. This is the final fencing arrangement for this phase. Access to the Community Centre remains available, and the centre continues to operate as normal.
Work at the front of the site relates to the creation of a temporary haul road, which will be used by construction vehicles and equipment. Temporary traffic lights are in place to support safe crossings while the footpath is closed and may be required again later to support utility installations. Rear access to the site remains closed for now, with options being reviewed to reopen it when it is safe to do so.
The existing playground equipment has now been removed. Once activity in this area is complete, time will be needed for the ground to settle before any further changes. A new pathway has also been installed along the edge of the park, linking to existing routes and allowing organised activities, such as Pompey Pedals and Junior parkrun, to continue during this phase of the project.
23 March 2026
The clearance work on the old courts has been completed, and what is known as the ‘enabling works’ will begin on 13 April, starting with the site compound, hoardings and groundworks. Find out more.
The building work will be carried out by Willmott Dixon. Established in 1852, they are one of the UK’s leading independent construction companies with an excellent track record of delivering public buildings such as this one. They will soon be sending a letter to residents living near to the site to introduce themselves. We are also sending a letter to a wider area to update residents on the project.
Work on the playground is progressing well, and we expect it to be completed by July, weather dependent. To keep disruption to a minimum, we have kept the existing playground open as long as we can and have extended this period until the end of the Easter weekend. It will close on 7 April, as it forms part of the site for the new building. The miniature railway will remain as it is.
While the new play area is being built, nearby alternative play spaces will remain open at Milton Park and Fort Cumberland Road. We know this temporary gap will be inconvenient, and we’re sorry for the disruption.
20 February 2026
Our playground contractors, Reds Builders, have set up their compound in the south-west corner of the park and have started work on building the new play area.
The removal of fences and lighting from the old courts has now been finished. We are keeping the existing playground open for as long as we possibly can, and will notify everyone when we have a date for closure.
The next phase of work will see our main contractor install their site offices, and then hoardings will go up around the site.
20 January 2026
We’ll be carrying out essential tree work in Bransbury Park to prepare the site for the new leisure centre. Contractors will be on site from the week commencing 26 January. The work will take around two days.
Over the course of the project, more than 50 new trees will be planted around the development, and across the wider park, to replace and enhance tree cover.
What’s happening:
- Four trees will be removed in and around the play area (one is a double tree, counted as two).
- This is the minimum number needed, as the trees sit directly on the footprint of the new building and access road.
- Several trees will be pruned to allow safe access for construction vehicles.
- These trees will not suffer long-term effects.
- Planning permission has been granted for all the work.
All work will be carried out by the council’s contractors, Gristwood & Toms. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.
22 December 2025
Before construction can begin, we need to carry out some preparation work. This means the hard courts and the astroturf court will be closed to the public from 5 January 2026. A new astroturf court and a multi-use games area will be created as part of the scheme, so there will still be outdoor sports facilities for the community to use once the project is finished in 2027.
The existing playground will stay open for now, and we’ll keep it that way for as long as possible before construction of the building begins in spring 2026. We were hoping to keep the existing play area open until the new one is ready. However, due to changes in the programme there will be a short gap before the new play area is open, but we’ll do our utmost best to keep this to a minimum.
Work on the new playground will also start in a few weeks time. We will let everyone know exact dates when we have them and will give you plenty of notice. During the short gap, you can use the play facilities at Milton Park or Fort Cumberland Road, which are nearby.
There will also be some contractors in the area working on some of trees. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.