A NEW leisure centre will be built in Preston to serve the north of the Reigate and Banstead borough.
The scheme to demolish the existing Banstead Leisure Centre in Merland Rise and replace it with a modern centre including a pool, gym, creche, sports hall and cafe, and adjoining community centre, was given the green light by councillors on Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's planning committee last night (Wednesday).
They also gave outline permission for 130 new homes to be built on part of the existing Merland Rise Recreation Ground.
Banstead Athletic Chairman, Terry Molloy, spoke strongly against the plans. The council has already agreed to issue compulsory purchase orders to force the club to sell land to make way for the scheme. Gillian Hein of the Tadworth and Walton Residents' Association also spoke out against the scheme, which will see a large part of the existing recreation ground built on.
But councillors voted heavily in favour of the scheme, with just one abstaining.
Councillor for Preston, Gemma Harper-Adamson, said: "I appreciate there is some concern about the loss of green space but on the whole my residents are happy with the compromise.
"My residents are absolutely over the moon with the benefits there will be from having these new facilities and a new housing site," she added.
