Work on a £21m leisure and community hub in Morpeth, Northumberland is set to begin in early 2020, after detailed designs were submitted for the ambitious project.

The project is being managed by Advance Northumberland, the development arm of Northumberland County Council.

Facilities at the venue will include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, day spa and a four-court sports hall.

There will also be a health club with a 100-station gym floor, a dedicated indoor cycling studio, large group exercise studios, a café area and soft play.

As well as the leisure provision, the hub – designed by GT3 Architects – will house a range of community services, including a library, customer service centre and adult learning area.

Detailed plans for the centre were submitted to Northumberland County Council’s planning service on 20 October.

Planners are due to consider the application in February 2020 and, if approval is given, work will commence on-site within a month.

"As a council, we are committed to improving leisure facilities and creating opportunities for people to be active and stay healthy," said Cath Homer, Northumberland County Councillor responsible for leisure.

"We all know how important exercise is in preventing illness and improving wellbeing and happiness.

"The existing leisure centre in Morpeth is outdated and reaching the end of its life span.

"A new centre in Morpeth will ensure the needs of residents now and in the future are properly met. We are pleased that such rapid progress is being made and we are one step closer to bringing these fantastic new facilities to the local community."

Northumberland County Council has appointed consultants Henry Riley as lead consultant for the scheme.

The funding for the centre has been financed by Northumberland County Council as part of an ambitious £65 million countywide investment programme to upgrade and transform sport and leisure facilities and to enhance the customer experience.

This includes the building of new leisure centres in Berwick, Ponteland and Morpeth and major investment to refurbish and revitalise centres in Blyth and Hexham.