Here's what we know so far as Harrogate Borough Council look at prospect of building new leisure centre

And council bosses are now looking into four locations where it could be built.

The proposals from Harrogate Borough Council include a new swimming pool and gym - with Conyngham Hall, Hay-a-Park, Knaresborough House and a redevelopment of the town's 29-year-old swimming pool on King James Road all being considered as options.

Conyngham Hall - a historic estate and business centre near the River Nidd - is the council's preferred location.

It has set a headline budget of £13million for the site, but it says it is keeping its options open.

If the council were to choose the option to upgrade Knaresborough Swimming Pool, it says it would build a new 25 metre pool, a 66-station gym and two studio spaces.

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Michael Constantine, the council's head of culture, tourism and sport, said the facility is being planned in response to the thousands of new homes set to be built in the area.

"Out to the east of the district there is a lot of land zoned and scheduled for new residential", he said.

"Knaresborough Pool, notwithstanding its age, would soon be not fit for purpose.

"So we have taken the view at this stage within our financial planning that instead of waiting for the houses to be built and then we build a new facility, we might want to get ahead of the curve on that and build it sooner rather than later.

"That reflects our reality that Knaresborough Pool is 29 years old and over the coming 10 years it is going to have operational issues.

"Subject to cabinet and council agreement, we will go through a more detailed site analysis and will be coming back with more concrete proposals."

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The plans are part of a new approach to how leisure and sports services are delivered across the district.

The council wants to spend £300,000 on setting up a new council-owned company to run its services - a move it says will give savings of around £400,000 a year.

The company - called Brimham’s Active - will be launched by August 2021 if given the go-ahead by councillors.

And a target date of December 2023 has been set for the completion of the new Knaresborough leisure centre.

But Starbeck Baths - Harrogate's oldest swimming pool - could be closed under the proposals.

Separately, multi-million pound upgrade works are already underway at Ripon Swimming Pool and are expected to be completed next year.

And further upgrades are also being planned for The Hydro in Harrogate.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of the cabinet on June 17 before full council on July 8.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter