A rival to the Virgin Active leisure complex in Castle Point has been approved - but today Sir Richard Branson's firm welcomed the news.
Plans for a £10m sports centre and tennis club have been given the green light by Southend Council.
The state-of-the-art complex, which will include two 25 metre swimming pools and 12 tennis courts, will be built on land between Kingsdown School and Cockethurst recreation ground, Snakes Lane, Eastwood.
The development now only has to be rubber stamped by the Secretary of State after members of Southend Council's development control committee gave the go-ahead to the scheme last night.
Today a spokesman for Virgin said the David Lloyd centre would be good for competition.
The spokesman said: "David Lloyd centres are primarily tennis clubs and encourage a lot of different sports.
"We are catering for a different market. We have no outdoor facilities or sports halls.
"We feel the new tennis club will just be healthy competition."
Published Thursday March 4, 2004
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