East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) has announced it has reached an agreement with a local rugby club over the proposed site of a new £13m leisure centre in Rushden.

Rushden and Higham Ferrers Rugby Club had voiced concerns that the Manor Park plans would result in the loss of its pitches, but ENC has now struck a deal with the club to provide two pitches as part of the scheme. ENC vice-chair Sue Homer said: "We have agreed in principle an outline design at the Manor Park site that means the Rugby Club will be able to keep the first team pitch next to the clubhouse.

A meeting of ENC's full council on 2 November backed plans to proceed with the Manor Park leisure project after a public consultation resulted in a number of changes being made to the original designs. As well as being configured to accommodate the rugby club, plans for the new complex will feature leisure water facilities instead of a learner pool, a floating floor in the main swimming pool to improve access for people with disabilities and a larger fitness suite.

A privacy screen between the main pool and the entrance atrium, a new sauna and a steamroom and a larger sports hall to incorporate six courts rather than four are also proposed. Homer added: "We also thought long and hard about the financial implications, but this exciting project will ensure that we provide high quality leisure facilities better able to serve the whole of the south of the district for decades to come. It will also pave the way for the regeneration of Rushden town centre."