The new designs for Abbey Fields swimming pools were signed off by councillors at Warwick District Council this week.

Following the discovery of archaeological remains when the previous Abbey Fields Leisure Centre was demolished, the local authority has been forced to update the plans for the new building, raising its height slightly.

No significant other changes have been made to the proposals, which were signed off by the council's planning committee on Wednesday (December 13).

Following a short discussion - during which Cllr Richard Dickson was given clarification the current access to the play areas would remain - the designs were signed off with just one vote against.

"The proposed amendments to the approved scheme would provide a significant benefit by safeguarding important medieval archaeological remains and which make a positive contribution to the significance and understanding of Kenilworth Abbey," a council report said.

"In turn, the proposals would help to facilitate the delivery of the new swimming pool complex and the associated benefits that would derive from that."

Planning permission for the pools was originally granted in September 2021, with contracts to flatten and redevelop the site then signed a year later.

Councillors last month signed off the new budget for the project and agreed to press ahead with building the new pools in the town's park, with Kenilworth's representatives split over the decision.

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Ahead of that decision, members were told last month the new contracts are hoped to be ready in January, when group leaders will discuss whether the new figures are acceptable.

See the full council report here.