PLANS for nearly 2,000 homes, schools and a sports centre with swimming pool in Didcot have finally been put forward.

Proposals for land to the north east of Didcot had stalled because South Oxfordshire District Council was unable to buy the land from University of Reading.

But outline plans have now been submitted by developer Croudace Homes and a deal to sell the land will be agreed, subject to planning permission.

The possibility of an alternative location for the leisure centre was mooted in a year-long stalemate but it is now confirmed that the centre will be on land opposite the Ladygrove estate.

The centre – likely to include a swimming pool, sports halls and fitness suite – features in the outline application along with artificial pitches, tennis courts and a 300-space car park.

The scheme would also feature two new primary schools, a new secondary school, a community centre and up to 1,880 homes.

The town’s existing leisure centre Didcot Wave, in Newlands Avenue, could close after the new one opens.

This option was flagged up in an SODC consultation on the new centre in 2013, although no closure date has been given and campaigners want it to stay open.

South Oxfordshire district councillor for Didcot North East Bill Service said: “This is good news and we can move ahead with the new leisure centre. Didcot Wave is coming to the end of its life and would need an awful lot of money spent on it.

“I know people are complaining that the new leisure centre is to the north of the town but we have been travelling south to use the swimming pool for 20 years.”

SODC said in 2013 that the Wave could close once the new centre opened but a full consultation on its future has yet to be held.

Didcot Mayor Des Healy, who launched the petition to Save the Wave, said the new centre should run as well as Didcot Wave.

He said: “The Wave is in no way competition with this new sports centre because of where it is – out of town – and the possibility of an Olympic-sized pool. It will attract a different clientele.

“The Wave is busier than ever. It just needs to get its share of investment.”

Julian Moss, secretary of Didcot Squash Club, said: “If the centre has three squash courts it would be great.”

Consultation has not yet started and a decision is expected by the end of this year.