Regeneration plans which include a new leisure centre in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, have been approved by the city council.

The multi-million pound redevelopment programme, called ‘Building a Better Bletchley’, will see the construction of a new leisure centre and residential buildings with around 30 per cent of the site earmarked for affordable housing.

Facilities at the £20m leisure centre complex will include a 25m swimming pool, a sauna, a steamroom, a multi-use sports hall, a gymnastics hall, a 100-station fitness suite, squash courts, an indoor bowls facility and a café.

The leisure centre is the result of a partnership between the Bletchley Development Board and various English Partnerships, including the Department of Communities and Local Government, the MK Tariff and Sport England.

Euan Henderson, cabinet member at Milton Keynes Council, said: “This decision will make a real difference to people living not just in Bletchley but in other parts of Milton Keynes.”

“The original leisure centre was a great facility back in its day – but this was the early 1970s and I think most people would agree that it is time to move on.”