Rushcliffe Borough Council approve plans for a new £20m leisure centre on Chapel Lane, Bingham

Plans for a new £20m leisure centre have been approved.

The developments, on Chapel Lane, Bingham, include a swimming pool, fitness gym, community hall and serviced offices.

More than 90 jobs could be created from the development of the leisure centre.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet gave the proposal the green light on Tuesday.

A Bingham councillor, Mr Francis Purdue-Horan, believes it is an exciting proposition for the town.

He said: “It is great news. It will bring high quality jobs in the eastern part of Bingham and we welcome that 90 could be created.

“Bingham’s current leisure centre is short of modern facilities, and this will solve those problems.

“We are all very excited about the proposal, and look forward to seeing the more detailed plans.”

Specialist independent consultants have worked with the authority to produce the plan that was approved in Tuesday’s meeting.

The proposal was in line with the Bingham Masterplan ­— a plan that seeks to develop a clear vision for the future of the town through housing growth over the next decade.

The leisure centre falls under improved community facilities, a long term target of the masterplan.

Mr Purdue-Horan said he thought the development would help link the town centre with new housing developments to the north of the town, which is also in line with the Bingham Growth Board, a council-supported campaign.

Debbie Mason, chairman of Bingham Growth Board, ­said: “The recommendations of the report highlight a significant change in the quality of leisure provision available for residents in Bingham and the surrounding area.

“They show a potentially excellent community facility that would promote healthier lifestyles and complement the growth of the town in the years to come.

“The location of the site is important in the wider plans for the town and that it is viable as part of our capital programme fund.”

The next step for the leisure centre will be planning permission approval, which they hope will be confirmed by the end of the year.

If approved, the new centre could be open by 2022.

The borough council said discussions will continue with the Nova Education Trust and other stakeholders to enable continued access to outdoor and Sports Hall facilities at the current Toot Hill School site.