Key leisure plan dispute settled

A dispute between a rugby club and a council over plans for a £13m leisure centre has been settled.

Rushden and Higham Rugby Club had feared the proposed centre at Manor Park in Rushden, Northamptonshire, would encroach on its main pitch.

East Northamptonshire Council has agreed to amend plans for the facility, which include a swimming pool, to accommodate the rugby club.

The scheme has yet to be finally approved by the council.

In a statement the council said it and the club had "agreed in principle on an outline design at the Manor Park site that will accommodate two pitches, the proposed leisure centre and a reconfigured car park".

"This means the rugby club will be able to keep the first team pitch next to the clubhouse," said a spokesman.