PLANS for Monmouth's new six lane swimming pool have been given the green light.

Councillors met last Thursday (25th June) to confirm the plans for the pool.

The new 25 metre pool will be built in the footprint of Monmouth Comprehensive School and will cost £5.168 million to build.

Last year councillors were told building a six lane pool would be unlikely due to financial constraints.

It was then agreed that a four lane 25 metre pool should be built next to the leisure centre.

However after council officers examined alternative locations for the pool costs were reduced significantly.

Originally it would have cost £7.73 million to build a six lane facility next to the existing leisure centre.

After looking at situating the pool within the new Monmouth Comprehensive School costs were reduced to £5.168 million bringing it below the cost of £6 million for the four lane pool.

The pool will be built at the same time as Monmouth Comprehensive School and will open in September 2017.

Councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, libraries and culture at Monmouthshire County Council (MCC), said: "The clear downside is that it will take longer to build.

"I apologise for that but I believe a longer delay is worth it for a better pool.

"We're setting the standard now for other pools in the county.

"Not only will the school be enjoying better facilities at their new school but so will the public.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to Haberdashers' Girls school for being extremely accommodating."

The current swimming pool needs to be demolished to make way for a new Monmouth Comprehensive School as part of the 21st Century Schools programme.

Councillor Bob Greenland told the Beacon last week that the pool will close at the end of this year.