WINCHESTER civic chiefs look poised to drop plans to build a new leisure centre on part of a city park.

A large chunk of the cricket pitch at River Park was last year earmarked for a new leisure centre, sparking strong opposition from local people in the Hyde area.

Now the idea of using the field, tennis courts and artificial pitches north of the River Park Leisure Centre appears to have been dropped from options to be considered by the council Cabinet on December 3.

Campaigners welcomed the news but are reluctant to celebrate just yet.

Sir Antony Walker, chairman of Save the Rec, said: “Our reaction is two cheers. It is too early to pull the Champagne corks as sometimes perverse decisions can be made.”

Sir Antony said although the council officers were recommending it be dropped the councillors may disagree.

He added that celebrations are on hold until there is a clear Cabinet decision and endorsement from the full Council. “We are in a campaign. Battles can be won and lost. We have won a battle but the campaign is not yet finished.”

The Cabinet will consider various options for a leisure centre including a rebuild on the existing footprint, a refurbishment of the RPLC or new building on sports field in Bar End.

The Save the Rec campaign have been battling the plans for a year and in May staged a fun day on the park which attracted around 3,000 people including rock star Frank Turner, who judged a dog show.

Council leader Rob Humby, in a written answer to a question from Cllr Jane Rutter at full Council on Thursday (NOV6) said: “If the city council decides to go ahead with the replacement of the RPLC it will be one of the largest capital projects the council has ever undertaken, and will have financial consequences for many years to come.

“The council, literally, cannot afford to make the wrong decision.”

He said it was difficult because there is no consensus as to the answer.

Even without site acquisition costs a new centre will cost at least £25m, more if a 50m pool is included.

Cllr Humby declined further comment when asked by the Chronicle.