Hucknall Leisure Centre improvements set to be approved by Ashfield District Council

Plans to build a new swimming pool and improve facilities at Hucknall Leisure Centre are due for approval next week.

Ashfield District Council's planning committee will review the authority's own plans to improve the leisure centre and increase its offer to the public.

The council went to tender earlier this year to find a builder for the project, with its existing leisure provider Everyone Active awarded the contract to run the upgraded facilities.

Under the plans, a second swimming pool will be created alongside a revamped fitness suite, improvements to group exercise studios and an upgraded reception area.

A meeting of the cabinet in September confirmed the project had reached the stage where a planning application can be lodged, and now the authority is due to approve its plans.

Planning documents published ahead of the meeting on December 15 state the building will include solar PV panels, providing the "opportunity to utilise renewable energy".

Energy from the panels will be used to power essential building demands including lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The upgraded centre will also feature electric vehicle charging points.

The authority is also planning tree planting on the west side of the building, with areas of hard and soft landscaping included in the proposals.

In February the council confirmed its upgraded leisure centre will become "more inclusive", offering sensory equipment in its swimming pools, an online activity offer and community programmes.

Concessionary rates for "priority" groups will continue and the works will include apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering opportunities for Ashfield residents.

Commenting at the September cabinet, Councillor John Wilmott (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall North, welcomed the upgrades.

Cllr Wilmott, who is also the portfolio holder for licensing, environmental health and regulatory services, said: "It's something close to my heart as a Hucknall councillor, and I welcome this.

"With the new fitness suite, the new changing facilities, the new reception area and the extension of an extra swimming pool, it's the icing on the cake."

The planning committee will be recommended to approve the plans when it meets next week.

It comes as part of a £22.5 million investment into leisure services in the district, alongside improvements to Sutton's Lammas Leisure Centre.

The improvements follow the wider investment into the new, multimillion pound Kirkby Leisure Centre, where work is well underway in Hodgkinson Road ahead of its opening date next year.

Everyone Active, the authority's leisure provider, agreed to its new contract with the council in April 2021 and will continue running the district's leisure centres for the next decade.