Cheshire East's plans to remove the entire squash court provision to provide a larger gym at the Congleton Leisure Centre, which was "solely a financial decision" have been approved.

Cheshire East will be carrying out a refurbishment and extension of Congleton Leisure Centre, on Worrall Street.

This will include the demolition of the existing swimming pool and ancillary buildings, a newly built pool, including reception and changing areas, plus the refurbishment of existing sports hall and gym areas.

However, in a submitted planning application, Cheshire East sought to amend the approved plans.

The internal changes sought to re-jig the internal floor plans to enlarge the gym offering, but in turn, the entire squash court provision would be lost at the leisure centre.

It is understood that the reason for the change was solely a "financial decision" according to a Cheshire East planning officer.

Initially, Sport England raised concerns about the loss of the squash court provision until further information was provided in relation to capacity and

need.

Following the receipt of additional information, the holding objection was withdrawn.

Sport England advised that they recognised that a 'significant amount of investment' had been made into squash courts over the past couple of years across Cheshire East and that 'Everybody Sport' had 'clearly made a commitment' to develop current squash provision and participation across the borough.

Sport England advised that whilst it was "regrettable" that existing users of the squash courts at Congleton Leisure centre would be displaced, they were mindful of the wider re-development scheme and the sporting opportunities available to the 'wider benefit of local communities'.

A Cheshire East planning officer's report stated: "The delivery of the new centre was 'finely balanced' and therefore in order to secure the future investment and sustainability of Congleton Leisure Centre, Sport England recognised that the proposed re-formatting of previously approved plans was required."

A Cheshire East planning officer concluded: "Whilst the loss of the squash court is regrettable, Sport England and the council's ANSA Greenspace Officer agree that the wider benefits of the scheme outweigh the loss of the provision."

The application was approved.

Nub News previously reported that Congleton Leisure Centre will not reopen in April and is expected to be closed for 15 months during its redevelopment.