A site for a brand new £11m leisure centre has been rubber-stamped by councillors despite concerns from a parks group.

Merton Council pledged to return the current site of Morden Park Leisure Centre to green space and build a new one on the other side of South Thames College in Morden Park.

The move will allow a new £11m pool to be built without closing the current leisure centre.

Four sites around the college in London Road in Morden were considered for the centre which will include a six lane 25m pool, four badminton courts and a sports hall as well as gym and cafe facilities.

New site for £11m leisure centre unveiled

At a council cabinet meeting last night Councillor Nick Draper, cabinet member for community and culture said: "I am very excited for Merton right now.

"But I am apprehensive.

"This is the first time we have secured where it should be.

"People will ask why weren’t we consulted, and I am minded to agree with them."

Karl Schneider of the Morden Park Playing Fields Association expressed concerns over the plans.

He said: "We welcome the plans to upgrade facilities in the park.

"We want money set aside to return the site back to green space.

"There are a number of mature trees – we want to make sure care is taken to minimise disruption."

The council is working with Sport England to finalise the design of the building.

Plans were formally approved by councillors at the cabinet meeting on Monday, November 10.

The new leisure centre could be open in 2017.

A council consultation on the pool had 400 responses.