Plans to build a new leisure centre in Amersham will be presented to the council’s planning committee this week.

After years of planning, Chiltern District Council’s (CDC) proposals to replace the “outdated” Chiltern Pools in King George V Road with a state-of-the-art facility will be discussed by the planning committee on Thursday.

If plans are given the green light, the current buildings on the site will be demolished and the new lifestyle centre will be built, featuring a 25-metre pool, gym, café, community centre and library.

However, the proposals have received 56 objections from residents, who have raised concerns over the loss of green space on the King George V playing field.

Others said the new building will be “too large”, while the design is “inappropriate and out of character” for the area.

CDC received a total of 14 letters of support for the application, saying the centre would help modernise Amersham Town Centre and provide more jobs for the area.

Usually a planning application would have to be “called in” to the committee by a councillor, however as this is a CDC proposal it is automatically referred.

Planning officers have recommended that the council should approve the development, subject to a number of conditions.

The officer’s report, due to be presented to the planning committee, states: “This is a sustainable location, close to Amersham-on-the Hill and is an appropriate location, improving on the existing facilities on site.

“It is considered that a fair balance would be struck between the interests of the community and the human rights of individuals in in the event of planning permission being granted in this instance, subject to conditions as set out.”