A £2.5M leisure centre could be built in South Derbyshire. 

South Derbyshire District Council has applied to its own planning department to redevelop the existing sports centre and recreation ground on Cockshut Lane in Melbourne.

The existing cricket pavilion would be knocked down and replaced with a new sports pavilion and amenities including a football pitch, two rugby pitches, two cricket squares, three tennis courts and a bowling green.

The plans also propose 201 parking spaces including disabled, minibus and cycle spaces.

And improved access to the centre, a children's play area and the installation of floodlighting have also been put forward.

The redevelopment is expected to cost £2.5m, with £1m coming from the sale of Bretby crematorium.

A spokesperson said the council was hoping to raise the rest "through external funding".

She added: "We have carried out research on a strategic need for leisure centre facilities throughout South Derbyshire.

"We have a new facility at Etwall Leisure Centre covering the north parishes and also we have Green Bank leisure centre for the urban core and district.

"We now plan to provide new facilities in Melbourne."

The application will be considered on Tuesday, February 7.