Plans submitted to overhaul town's sports village

A planning application to transform a sports facility in a Shropshire town have been submitted after feedback from residents, a council said.

The plans for Shrewsbury Sport Village were approved by the previous administration of Shropshire Council in September.

The authority said the plans were finalised after a public consultation which a spokesperson said was "instrumental" in shaping the project.

"This planning application marks an important step forward in our journey to creating a modern competition centre which aims to cater for residents across the county," said councillor James Owen.

"While we face significant financial challenges, the money that has been used to create the detailed designs and planning application for the centre is coming from our capital budget, a budget that we are not allowed to use to deliver day-to-day services.

"This budget was agreed by the previous administration."

New facilities in the plans include a 25m, eight-lane pool as well as a 17m x 10m studio pool with a moveable floor, seating for 250 spectators and space for 250 competitors, and a new reception area, lobby and cafe.

Also proposed is a soft play area, several new studios and a changing village.

A list of additional features included in the plans are on the authority's website.

The council hopes the sports village will also become an all-electric operation as, if approved, its existing gas boilers would be decommissioned.

Owen added: "It is important to note that, despite this planning application process, no decisions have yet been made."

"We remain committed to maintaining a separate community swimming facility within Shrewsbury town centre and we are exploring ways in which we can do this."

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.