West Berkshire Council has approved the extension and refurbishment of an existing sports hall.
Downland Sports Centre, located at The Downs School, Compton, is currently in a poor state of repair with a leaking roof and cracks in the floor.
But the new hall, proposed by WBC and costing more than £3m over the next five years, would see the entire building significantly renovated to incorporate a bigger gym, state-of-the-art changing rooms and a new studio space.
Compton parish councillors and residents previously expressed concerns for child protection and privacy, sustainable drainage measures and the extent the new centre would be open for community use.
Oxford Architects explained the sports hall windows would not impact child protection, with a public footpath nearby.
The planning decision was referred to the council’s western area planning committee in August to respond to residents’ concerns about the design and setting of the development in the wider landscape.
The additions to the main sports hall would match the design of the existing building, while the front extension would have a modern appearance, with a flat roof and areas of glazing.
The existing sports hall was granted planning permission in July 1982.
Permissions for extensions were later approved in 2004 and 2011, but neither were implemented and have subsequently expired.
