COUNCILLORS at North Devon Council are backing plans to provide a new leisure centre at Seven Brethren.

At a full meeting of the council on Wednesday, March 13, members approved the recommendation to proceed with the construction of a new swimming pool, sports hall and exercise studios next to Tarka Tennis Centre in Barnstaple.

The council is still waiting to hear if its funding applications to Sport England and Coastal Communities Fund have both been successful. If this funding falls into place, the council hopes to start work on the project later this year.

Executive Member for Parks, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Dick Jones, says: "A decision from Full Council is another positive step towards the delivery of a new pool and leisure facilities to replace our ageing leisure centre at Seven Brethren.

"The results of our funding applications are key and we have our fingers firmly crossed for some good news later this month.”

Keep up-to-date with the latest news on the progress of the new leisure centre project in the council’s blog: www.newleisurecentre.wordpress.com.