Plans have been submitted for a new leisure centre as part of the wider regeneration of the Somerset town of Chard.

Alliance Leisure is working with architecture consultancy practice AHR to redevelop a site in the town centre on behalf of South Somerset District Council.

Facilities at the centre will include a 25m swimming pool, health club with a large gym floor and exercise studios, an adventure play facility and café.

The leisure centre will form the first phase of a wider Chard Regeneration Scheme, which focuses on regenerating the Boden Mill site in the centre of the town.

Planning approval is expected in early September 2019, with enabling works set to begin in Q4 this year – ahead of the start of construction in Q1 of 2020.

Future phases of the scheme will include commercial units, housing and improvements to the public realm.

“These works will reinvigorate Chard, attracting people back to the town centre while delivering the leisure and community facilities that people have said they want," said Julia Goddard, senior business development manager at Alliance Leisure.