Plans to build a new leisure centre in Kingston have finally been submitted, after long delays left residents without one.

The building is set to replace the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, which shut in 2019 and was demolished in 2022 after it was decided repairs to fix the roof would cost more than £5million.

Kingston Council previously said a replacement leisure centre would be built on the same site by late 2024.

But it scrapped the original designs last year after a tendering process to appoint a contractor for the project returned a figure of £79.5m – much higher than its approved budget of £44.5m.

The council has now submitted a formal planning application with 'more modest' designs for the leisure centre which, if approved, would be two storeys tall.

CGI of the planned new leisure centre in Kingston (Credit: Roberts Limbrick/Kingston Council, provided in Kingston Council documents)

It would have an eight-lane swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, four-court sports hall, two squash courts, changing facilities, showers, a gym, group cycling studio and three activity studios.

A health suite with a sauna, steam room and relaxation area are included in the plans, along with a café for 100 customers, public plaza, soft play area and an upgraded play area in Fairfield East.

,

The leisure centre would be 'car free' except for two disabled parking bays, while it would have 72 cycle parking spaces.

The council would also plant 56 new trees on the site.

The council said it has brought on board construction partner Pellikaan much earlier in the process than before to give better assurances around costs and the timeline to completion.

Alliance Leisure is overseeing the project, working with architects Roberts Limbrick.

A council report in March said the estimated cost of the revised scheme is £44.9m, although this is subject to change as it progresses.

The authority aims to start building the leisure centre in spring next year, if the planning application is approved, with a target to open it in spring 2027.

Lib Dem councillor Alison Holt, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Leisure, said: "We are ensuring all of the necessary processes are completed to bring the project forward as quickly as possible, and I'm excited that we are progressing swiftly towards a fantastic new facility for all in the borough to use in the coming years."

Tom Fairey, Development Director at Alliance Leisure, added: "We are looking forward to continuing at pace through the final stage of pre-construction, and working with our expert partners to deliver this exciting new centre that meets the needs of the borough for many years to come."