DROITWICH Spa's new lido development has now been granted planning permission meaning work could start in the next few months.

Wychavon District Council approved the plans to build a 21st century lido at a meeting last Thursday.

Development control committee members backed the plans, which show a rectangular saltwater pool that will be a maximum of 1.5m deep and which shallows to 10cm at the beach end. There will also be terraced areas for sunbathing and a caf serving the park and lido. Updated changing facilities and toilets are also part of the scheme.

The council had already appointed Wychavon Leisure Community Association Ltd to operate the complex after members of the local authority gave it their backing last month.

Now that planning permission has been granted, once conservation area consent is approved, work is expected to start in the next few months.

Council leader Martin Jennings said: "I am delighted that the project is a lot nearer to fruition.

"Although we have to wait for the secretary of state's decision on the conservation area consent application, I hope residents will share our optimism that work will start on the £1.5m scheme for the town and surrounding area."

Lido heritage campaign group, The Friends of Droitwich Spa Lido and its Park, have welcomed the news.

Group spokesman Ian Wild said: "The protection of the original heritage features has been the key to our campaign. All the original features, accept the fountain, are being kept intact. Only the pool is being heavily modified, but if done properly, this modification, like the removal of the fountain, can be reversed.

"As far as I am concerned arguments over business plans and split pools are irrelevant. It is the protection of the core features of this nationally important asset that is the focus of my concern and all being well this is what we are on the cusp of achieving."