In pictures: How a new 'premium' David Lloyd Club on the edge of Northampton could look if approved

Major plans have been unveiled to open a 'state-of-the-art' David Lloyd leisure club on on land in Overstone Leys, opposite Aldi.

The leisure provider has lodged an application for a new health, fitness and racquets club which would feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis and padel courts, a gym, spa facilities and more.

The site covers around 1.87 hectares – roughly the size of three football pitches – and is currently mainly grassland. It sits opposite Aldi between Sywell Road and the A43 and forms part of the wider Overstone Leys development.

A closer look at the plans shows the club would include a 20-metre indoor swimming pool, two children's learner pools, a 25-metre outdoor pool and an outdoor children's pool.

Multiple artist's impressions of the site have been released as part of the planning application showing how the proposed leisure club could look if approved.

Planning documents also show proposals for a gym with up to 140 fitness stations, four exercise studios, a two-court sports hall and a spa featuring a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation areas. An outdoor spa garden with a pool, sauna and meditation area is also proposed.

The plans include three covered tennis courts inside a permanent air-dome structure, three covered padel courts, a multi-use games area and a ‘battle box’ outdoor fitness training area.

Family facilities would include a soft play area, children's activity rooms and dedicated family spaces, while a lounge, bar, café area and separate adult lounge and business hub also feature in the proposals.

Outside, the scheme includes 227–space car park, cycle storage, landscaped areas and a terrace overlooking the outdoor facilities.

A David Lloyd spokesperson said the aim was to create “‘a premium facility that delivers a range of active and leisure pursuits for the whole community”.

The spokesman said: “The proposed health, fitness and racquets club in Overstone consists of a new-build David Lloyd Club that will feature a suite of studios and a range of facilities, targeted at all age groups.

"The new health, fitness and racquets club will provide a premium facility that delivers a range of active and leisure pursuits for the whole community.”

A decision on the application is expected to be made by West Northamptonshire Council by July 13.

The site forms part of the wider Overstone Leys development. Around 3,600 homes are due to be built in the area over the next decade as part of the Overstone Sustainable Urban Extension, with land set aside for a local centre intended to provide facilities for everyday community use. Ideas for what should be built on the site have been discussed for several years.

David Lloyd first pitched the idea to the community at an Overstone parish council meeting in summer 2024.

A David Lloyd representative told parish councillors: “Our aspiration is bring our expertise in operating family focused clubs to Overstone Leys and help people live happier and healthier lives… our business does operate on a membership basis but David Lloyd is committed to making meaningful contributions to the communities in which we operate… that contribution starts from the outset with the creation of jobs, through construction we create 50 plus jobs and generate about 100 jobs across a range of skill sets."