A MAJOR fitness club is set to open as part of a north Colchester leisure park.

David Lloyd has applied for permission to open a health, fitness and racquet club opposite the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The development, which will include a swimming pool as well as squash and tennis courts, will create 70 jobs.

Bill Frame, Colchester councillor responsible for economic growth and planning, said: “We are delighted that this planning application has been submitted.

“David Lloyd Leisure is a nationally well-known and respected health club organisation and we are extremely pleased that they are looking to bring a facility to Colchester.”

He added: “The Northern Gateway development will create many new opportunities for employment and will be an attractive and sustainable new destination for sports, leisure and business.

“We are excited at the progress being made in this area, which will generate significant benefits for residents and businesses plus also bring new investment to the borough.”

The site is has long been listed by the health club as one of its ‘target areas’.

The application has been submitted to Colchester Council, which will have the final say on whether the proposals are given the green light. There are already clubs in Chelmsford, Ipswich, Basildon and Southend.

The plans are the first piece of the jigsaw in creating a Northern Gateway leisure park.

A separate 18 acres, beside the David Lloyd site, have already been put on the market by owners Colchester Council.

It is hoped a cinema, bowling alley, skating rink, hotel and restaurants will be built there.

Paul Smith, Colchester Council leader has previously stated the plans are geared towards making Colchester “a self-sufficient town and not just a town where people commute to London for work and leisure”.