Sir Jeremy Wright has welcomed news that the new swimming pools in Abbey Fields are still planned to be built.

Warwick District Council's (WDC) cabinet this week voted in favour of continuing with the project, and agreeing a new contract with contractor Kier.

While the full council must now discuss the proposal, Kenilworth's MP says he hopes the new facilities will be ready as soon as possible.

"Pleased that the Warwick District Council Cabinet agreed to continue with a new swimming pool complex at Abbey Fields," Sir Jeremy said. 

"I recognise that this was not a straightforward decision, but Kenilworth needs and deserves new swimming facilities to be available as soon as possible."

WDC leader, Cllr Ian Davison, described the decision as the "least worst option," during Thursday's (November 2) meeting.

Meanwhile other cabinet members said it was "the most difficult decision" the new administration is likely to have to make.

Councillors also agreed to borrow money from the Public Works Loan Board to finance the project which has seen its price rise from the £8.5 million originally forecast.

And cabinet said it would have an independent review of the figures involved, as well as a briefing on the analysis into other sites considered for the new pools.

Speaking at the public meeting on the leisure projects in September, Sir Jeremy said under no circumstances could Kenilworth be left without a new swimming pool.

"The option that hasn't been discussed in any detail is the option of having no swimming pool at all in Kenilworth," he said at the September meeting.

"I would find that unacceptable. I suspect many others would too. 

"Can you confirm today that is an option that is not being considered?"

Cllr Davison said at the time he couldn't give a "cast-iron guarantee" not to scrap the project. But the Green party member was one of the cabinet members to unanimously back the continuation of the project this week.

An amended planning application for the Abbey Fields leisure centre must now also be approved by WDC.