Work could begin on a state-of-the-art £21m leisure centre in Morpeth by this autumn.
Councillors approved the plan for the centre, which will also serve as a community hub, at a virtual meeting of Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee, which was held online due to the cornavirus pandemic.
Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2022.
Contractors will now be appointed by the council's economic regeneration company Advance Northumberland to carry out the building work, from plans created by GT3 Architects.
The new complex will be built on the site of The Terrace on Gas House Lane and will be run by Active Northumberland, the charitable trust that manages leisure services across the county.
The centre will include a six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, spa facilities, a four-court sports hall, a new 100 station fitness suite, a spinning studio, large fitness studios, a cafe and soft play area.
The town's library will also be housed in the centre, alongside a customer service centre and a new adult learning facility with classrooms for STEM learning and catering.
Council leader Peter Jackson said: “The new leisure centre plans are ambitious, forward-looking and are eagerly awaited and have been developed in consultation with the local community.
“With planning consent firmly secured, work can now start to create a modern leisure facility which meets the needs of the community, creating new and exciting opportunities for individuals, families, schools and sporting enthusiasts to realise their fitness, lifestyle and sporting goals.”
Mark Warnes, interim Chief Executive of Active Northumberland, added: “It’s great that such rapid progress has been made in designing and developing the new centre and that the green light has now been given to start building it.
"The new centre will be a real asset for the town and a wonderful place, with great facilities, for residents and visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”
The centre will be funded by the council as part of its £65m programme to update sports and leisure facilities across the county, with new leisure centre also set to be built in Berwick and Ponteland.
