A new leisure centre is one step closer to being built in Amersham after two councils agreed to swap land. 

The planned new building would replace Chiltern Pools, which is more than 50 years old and is predicted to be "uneconomical" to run beyond 2022. 

If given the go-ahead, the new leisure centre would feature an eight-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, a diving and teaching pool with a children's splash pad area, a four badminton court sports hall, two squash courts, a climbing wall, soft play area, library, cafe, spa, gym, community centre and exercise studios. 

To make room for the planned new centre, Amersham Town Council (ATC) and Chiltern District Council (CDC) will "land swap" - in return for building on a small part of the King George V playing field, owned by the town council, the district council would transfer The Green in Woodside Close to ATC, protecting the land as open space through a Fields in Trust dedication.

Both councils are in "full agreement" with the land swap proposal, which they say will offer a "higher level of protection against any future development for Woodside Close".

Once the land swap is completed, more detailed design plans for the centre will be drawn up, followed by a formal planning application later in the year. 

Amersham mayor, Cllr Clive Morgan, said: "The current community complex has served us well over the last 60 years but Amersham Town Council recognises the need for progress so that we can best provide for all the people in our community. 

"This will be undertaken in a sympathetic and dynamic upgrading of the existing facilities.

"The proposed 'Land Swap' will enable a prestigious facility to be achieved in our town, maintaining the surrounding historical buildings within additional areas of green space.

"Under the land swap proposal, the existing children's play area on the King George V field will be upgraded and incorporated in the new development, with the remaining facilities being relocated on the field, with no further intrusion onto the open space. There will be no loss of existing facilities.

"Amersham Town Council recognises the importance of all the contributions made by the community so far, and we hope that all interested parties will continue to provide feedback as the development progresses so that we can ensure the needs of the community are met."