The £15m first phase of a new sport  and leisure village on Stanney Lane  has been given unanimous approval.

The Cheshire West and Chester Council application, co-funded by the Sports  Council, is part of  a £70m investment by  the borough in leisure facilities across  Cheshire West and Chester.

The development at the dilapidated  former Stanney High School on Stanney Lane includes a 25m eight lane  swimming pool, an eight court sports  hall, a fitness suite, a community  room, dance studios and a cafe.

The multi-purpose sports and leisure  facilities were the first phase of a plan for  the future of the academy site which  would also enhance outdoor athletic and  football provision and link these to facilities in the purpose-built building.

Describing the facilities as ‘state of  the art’,  Louise Sheridan from  Cheshire based architects Ellis Williams, emphasised the sports hall had  been designed to national basketball  league standards.

The  development would have a public plaza to Stanney Lane and there  would be ‘significant landscaping’ to  enhance a proposed boulevard approach for the road.

The intention was to encourage new  users and to promote a higher participation in sport.

The architect described the new  build as ‘a pavilion in a parkland’.

Borough leisure chief Cllr Stuart  Parker (Con) described the development  as ‘an iconic recreation facility’ and said  it would be part of the creation of the  larger sports village on the site.

He held out the prospect of a new  indoor athletics track in the future and  pointed out there had been extensive  consultations on the development  which had cross party support.

Cllr Parker stressed the borough  council was investing at a time when  most other authorities were cutting  back or closing their leisure facilities.

It would ‘totally enhance’ leisure  opportunities in Ellesmere Port he  suggested.

Echoing concerns raised by swimming  clubs, Cllr Angela Claydon (Lab, St  Paul's) said she would have liked to have  seen an application for a 50m pool.

“Obviously we want a new sports  centre for Ellesmere Port and I am  totally in favour and will be voting to  approve,” she said.

Cllr Claydon received assurances the  present athletic track and sports  building at Stanney lane would be  retained and successfully argued that  a proposed alfresco area should close  at a reasonable time.

Planning officers explained the development did not affect the existing  track and sports club building.

Councillors heard there would be ten  full time and 26 part time staff equivalent to 23 full time jobs.

A proposed new roundabout at the  junction with Dover Drive, which  would be the main access, will be  subject to further consultation.

Permission was agreed unanimously.