PLANS which would see Monmouth Leisure Centre redeveloped to include new facilities – including a new five-lane swimming pool – have been submitted to Monmouthshire County Council.

The proposals include numerous upgrades, including new children’s adventure play facilities, and changing rooms, alongside the 25-metre swimming pool.

The existing squash courts, gymnasium, fitness suite and multi-use fitness classes spaces would be retained.

To accommodate these facilities, the planning application seeks a two-storey extension to the current building, which opened in 2000.

Access to the centre will also be relocated to face the existing car park, with a glazed canopy proposed above a new doorway, and a new pedestrianised area.

An over-flow car park will replace the existing hard-surfaced ball play area, providing 48 more spaces for car parking at peak times.

The application says “a new leisure centre with additional and alternative facilities is needed in Monmouth to offer recreational facilities to residents of the town and surround areas”.

“A leisure centre is a vital community facility and the proposals aim is to help safeguard the centre and encourage more people to exercise and have a healthier lifestyle through all age groups,” it added.

The application, submitted by Bradshaw, Gass and Hope LLS on behalf of the council, comes after original plans - setting out the development of new building to house a pool, adjacent to the leisure centre - were scrapped.

In July 2014, the council agreed to build the new £47 million Monmouth Comprehensive School on the pool’s current site as part of its 21st Century Schools programme.

An underspend of around £204,050 from the programme was used to develop a business case.

Other costs will be covered by Section 106 funding of up to £500,000 from the Wonastow Road housing development.

Councillors approved the decision to increase spending on the project in January of this year.