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A new leisure complex, including a gym, a spa and two swimming pools, will be built on the edge on Yeovil after plans were approved.
David Lloyd Leisure Ltd and The Abbey Manor Group jointly applied in October 2024 to construct the new leisure complex on Plot E of the Bunford Park employment zone, which lies at the corner of the A3088 and Watercombe Lane on the western approach of the town.
In April, Somerset Council's planning committee south approved plans for 185 homes on land to the south of Bunford Lane, which would deliver the access from Watercombe Lane that the leisure complex would also use.
The council's planning officers have now signed off on the leisure proposals, meaning that construction could begin within the next six months.
The site lies at the eastern edge of the Bunford Park site, near the junction with Lysander Road which was substantially modified as part of the Yeovil western corridor upgrade completed by Somerset County Council in 2019.
The primary access to the complex will be from Watercombe Lane, with a secondary access being later provided via the recently constructed signalised junction on the A3088, towards the Bunford Lane roundabout.
On the ground floor, the main building will house a large sports hall with indoor courts, a 10m by 20m indoor swimming pool (plus two children's pools), a spa, changing rooms, a children's soft play area, a lounge and business hub.
An additional outdoor pool will be provided south of this building, alongside a spa garden, six outdoor padel courts, a "battle box" activity area and a children's play area.
The first floor of the building will comprise a gym and several studio spaces, including a spin studio and a "blaze studio" for high-intensity workouts.
To the north, three outdoor tennis courts will be provided within "an enclosed air dome structure" near the car park.
A total of 289 car parking spaces will be provided on-site, including ten disabled spaces, four parent and child spaces, 58 electric vehicle charging bays, and 20 spaces for bicycles.
Walking and cycling links will be provided throughout the site, linking up with the business park and the existing network of cycle routes along the western and southern edges of Yeovil.
The site is expected to create the equivalent of 100 full-time jobs once it is fully operational.
A spokesperson for Lichfields (representing the developers) said: "The proposal is located within a strategic employment site and forms part of the Bunford Park masterplan.
"The proposed development is designed to a high standard, utilising a number of measures to ensure sustainable design.
"The proposed development will have no adverse impact on the amenity of surrounding occupiers and will not prejudice the future development of sites.
"The proposed erection of a new David Lloyd health, fitness and racquets club will have a positive material impact, through job creation, employment diversification and the provision of a best-in-class sports facility, both within Yeovil and the wider Somerset area.
"David Lloyd would seek to implement the proposed use as soon as possible upon the grant of planning permission."