COUNCIL planning officers have given their backing to a swimming pool’s £800,000 overhaul.

Castle Point Council wants to add a new exercise suite to Runnymede Pool, in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

The ambitious revamp plans come three years after a similar project at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, on Canvey.

The council’s planning officers have backed the plans after the authority submitted an application for work to add a health and fitness suite to the Seventies-built pool, along with a brand new car park.

Funding has partly come from the sale of Swans Green Hall, in Hart Road, Thundersley, which brought in £500,000.

Councillors argued the community centre was used at just 20 per cent of its full capacity, making its future unviable.

A spokesman says the swimming pool design will respect the character and appearance of the existing building.

In a report ahead of Tuesday’s planning meeting where a final decision on the plans will be made, Steve Rogers, head of regeneration and neighbourhoods at Castle Point Council, praised the “acceptable plans”.

He said: “The design and appearance of the extension is satisfactory and the site layout arrangements acceptable on planning grounds.

“Since there are no planning reasons to withhold permission the application is recommended for approval.”