AMBITIOUS plans for a three-storey sports centre including space for three basketball courts at Essex University have been tipped for approval by planning officers.

Proposals put forward by the university include a sports hall which would have space which could double up to be used as 12 badminton courts, along with sports therapy facilities, classrooms and a rehabilitation area.

It could feature a social space and bar, and up to 1,800 spectators could fit into the arena which could host university fixtures in national competitions.

Primarily, the space would be on offer for students, but would be available to the public in the way the university's current facilities are.

The plans have been recommended for approval by council officers, subject to a number of conditions.

A report said: "The proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle, having had regard to national and local planning policy, and is satisfactory in terms of visual impact, impact upon heritage assets, amenity, highway, ecology, and drainage and flood risk matters, subject to necessary conditions."

Concerns about the project have been raised by Wivenhoe Town Council who fear protected trees would be cut down to enable the plans to go ahead.

In a statement the council said: "There is a tree preservation order on the trees proposed to be removed and we express concern with the loss of permeable land."

"Additionally, the loss of the view of the river from the public footpath, which is in a protection area, and this application would have a huge effect on the visual impact of Wivenhoe."

Councillors also expressed fears the amount of traffic en route to the university could increase as a result of the new centre.

Plans for covered tennis courts which would be lost because of the expansion were approved in March but the university have had a proposal for an all-weather sports pitch thrown out.

Colchester Council's planning committee will have the final say on the sports centre proposals at a meeting next Thursday.