A new multi-million pound swimming pool and fitness centre in Whitchurch will go ahead, despite Shropshire Council facing financial issues.

Councillor Lezley Picton, leader of the unitary authority, confirmed earlier this week that the plans to build a brand new £13.1 million centre in the town were secure despite the council looking to save £244 million over the next year.

The council is also looking at increasing council tax by 4.99 per cent from April 2023 and introduce fees for green waste collections and increase parking charges in order to gain extra revenue.

Whitchurch's swimming pool closed its doors in March 2020.

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There had been hopes it would reopened but it was later discovered that a leak at the pool would prove more difficult to repair than first thought.

Just a few weeks ago, councillors back proposals to build on the old site with the plans including a new six-lane 25-metre pool with a movable floor, multi-function rooms, a gym and a cafe.

It is hoped work can begin in 2024 and completed the following year.

The project has initially been expected to cost between £7m and £8m, but it was revealed that price has increase due to inflation and increasing construction costs.