Plans for a new six-lane community pool in Palmer Park to replace two ageing pools have been revealed.

A ‘draft development framework’ for the whole of Palmer Park will be presented to Reading Borough Council (RBC) ahead of a public consultation.

The council said it is committed to providing “modern and much-improved new facilities for swimmers”.

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “Palmer Park is an important green space which serves local residents as a valued community park and is also home to a number of existing leisure facilities with local and regional significance.

“It is important that a detailed and site-specific development brief is put in place to help guide future development.

“The draft brief focuses on a number of important themes which include reinstating the heart of the park, retaining character, strengthening the leisure offer and consolidating car parking.”

“In terms of the positioning of the new swimming pool, the development brief offers two options and this will also form an important part of the community consultation when it goes live.”

The update seeks to ensure more detailed guidance is in place for Palmer Park so that the development of a new swimming pool is seen in the context of the wider character of the park and its surroundings.

Feedback will be considered before the framework is amended and then adopted as a formal development brief.

Redlands councillor Tony Jones said "I very much welcome this public consultation as an important and necessary next step towards delivering the new swimming pool in east Reading.

“I know that many local residents are excited by the prospect of the provision of a new modern, accessible community swimming pool at Palmer Park."

Palmer Park is home to a stadium athletics track and velodrome, bowling club and sports pitches.

RBC wants to build two new 25-metre pools: a community pool in Palmer Park and a competition pool in Rivermead.

Campaigners have previously called for a 50m pool in Rivermead to replace the Arthur Hill and Central Pool facilities, which closed in October 2016 and January 2018.

The plans can be viewed here