Coventry City Council will consider a proposal for the addition of an aquatic centre at the AT7 Sports Centre, which, if approved, locals fear will see the closure of nearby Foleshill Leisure Centre.

An item before the planning committee on 10 January recommends permission is granted for the development of a 25m pool, a learner pool, racing slides, spa, sauna, steam rooms, changing facilities, conference facilities and offices at the Courthouse Green centre.

Last year a petition calling for the preservation of the Foleshill facility attracted 10,000 signatures and the outcome of a public consultation document regarding its future and the city’s leisure facilities is expected in spring.

The planning committee item states the Foleshill centre is not suitable for development as it is too small to accommodate the required range of facilities.

The extension to the AT7 centre will see a football pitch replaced with 216 parking spaces, which Sport England has approved as more people are likely to use swimming facilities than the pitch.

Last year the council said Foleshill Leisure Centre had seen participation levels drop 60 per cent despite a £1.1m investment since 1995.