New swimming pools to be built at leisure centre

A new 25m (82ft) swimming pool will be part of a project to extend and refurbish a leisure centre.

Huntingdonshire District Council's development management committee approved the plans for One Leisure Huntingdon, in St Peters Road, at a meeting on Monday.

The project also includes new racket courts and fitness suites.

Funding for the work was expected to be agreed at a full council meeting on 25 February, the authority said.

There will be a two-storey extension, a spectator seating area by the new eight-lane pool and a 13m (42ft) pool for learners.

An artificial pitch will be relocated.

The existing pool at the council-run centre in Cambridgeshire is also 25m.

The council said the project aimed to tackle a shortage of swimming and fitness provision in the area.

Anglian Water had objected, saying there was "insufficient capacity to accept the additional flows from the development" at the Huntingdon (Godmanchester) Water Recycling Centre.

But the plan was approved, subject to conditions.

Sally Howell, a Liberal Democrat councillor with a responsibility for health and leisure, said: "We are delighted that the development management committee has supported this transformational project."

She added: "This marks a key step in delivering high quality leisure, health and wellbeing facilities that meet the needs of our communities today and for future generations."

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