Plans for a new £28m sports complex in Yeovil are still alive according to South Somerset District Council (SSDC), despite a decision not to apply for planning permission.

Councillors voted against submitting a bid for funding to pay for an outline planning application for the 1.25-hectare (3.09-acre) Sport Zone following concerns over the proposed location of the development at Yeovil Recreation Centre. However, SSDC did approve the mix of facilities planned for the complex, which include an eight-lane, 50m swimming pool with moveable boom and floor, a combined 530sq m (5,704sq ft) leisure and learner pool and an eight-court sports hall.

A four-court indoor tennis centre, a 125-station fitness suite, a multi-purpose aerobics and dance studio and a climbing wall have also been earmarked for the centre, as well as a full-sized synthetic turf pitch, health consultation rooms, a café, a creche and changing facilities. SSDC leader, Tim Carroll, said: "There was clear support for the concept of the Sport Zone, but there were concerns over whether Yeovil Recreation Centre was the right location.

"What I will say is that the need for sports prevision is still very much there and it is a facility that Yeovil rightly deserves. There are thousands of people, now and in the future, that will need to and indeed enjoy using up-to-date, high quality sports facilities. "I am confident that we can take a second look at the location issues and move forward with a Sport Zone in the imminent future."