Three applications relating to the Basildon Sporting Village project have been granted outline planning permission.

The Sporting Village, which is being funded by Essex County Council and Communities and Local Government, will include modern facilities including a 50m Olympic sized pool.

Additional funds for the Sporting Village will be secured by a residential development at Cranes Farm Road – the current location of the South Essex Gymnastic Centre.

Markham’s Chase Leisure Centre, to the west of the town centre, will be redeveloped to improve the provision for outdoor sports while the multi-use games area will be retained.

Work will also include improvements to the layout of sports pitches, allowing an additional junior pitch to be provided.

Meanwhile, the Council’s Cabinet has approved the project moving onto the next stage of the procurement process.

The three short listed bidders will now be invited to submit detailed plans that will test their design and build proposals, operating and contract arrangements.

The Basildon Sports Village is scheduled to open in 2010.