Cambridge City Council has approved a reserved matters application for the first phase of a sports centre development at the University of Cambridge's West Cambridge campus.

The application follows the granting of outline planning permission for the project, which is the first of a three-stage construction process and was backed by seven votes to one.

Facilities to be created in the proposed first phase of the new sports centre include a 1,320sq m (14,208sq ft) sports hall area; a weights room; and a fitness suite on the ground floor.

Five squash courts and changing facilities are also earmarked for the ground floor, while the first will include a fives court; two multi-purpose rooms; and two meeting and office rooms.

Last June, it was confirmed that a GBP16m funding proposal for the project had been approved. Phase one is due to open in 2013-14, with later phases to include a 50m swimming pool.