A brand new leisure facility could be built in Billericay following a decision by the council’s Regeneration and Environment Committee to further investigate two options.

At a meeting of the Regeneration and Environment Committee on Wednesday the committee agreed to commission further detailed work on two options to build a new £9million facility with a gym

A further option to rebuild the facility without a gym at a cost of between £700,000 and £3.2million will also be explored. The committee will undertake a public consultation.

The swim and gym option would see the creation of a larger 25 metre pool with six lanes and a new 13 meter by 8 metre learner pool. The plan includes a first storey 120 station gym, two activity studios and a café.

Councillor Alan Ball, chairman of the Regeneration and Environment Committee, said: “The leisure research already carried out shows there is a demand for this type of facility in Billericay.

“The current facility is at the end of its natural life so it seems a good time to look at building a more efficient modern facility.”