A SWIMMING pool with changeable depths, an increased sized sports hall and a martial arts dojo will all be included in the new King Alfred Leisure Centre.

The first details of what the £40 million leisure centre will include have been released by Brighton and Hove City Council after its policy and resources committee selected its preferred bidder for the scheme last night.

The council has confirmed this morning that Crest Nicholson, in partnership with the Starr Trust, have been selected as the preferred bidders to redevelop the Hove leisure site.

The local authority has also confirmed that the leisure centre will be paid for with a development of 560 flats of up to 18 storeys in height– 20 per cent of which will be affordable homes.

A council official said that facilities in the new centre would meet or exceed all the minimum specifications laid down by the cross-party policy and resources committee in July 2013 with a 25m eight-lane competition pool, a smaller teaching pool, plus a leisure pool.

The main and teaching pools will both have movable floors for changing depths in the competition and teaching pools are features included.

The sports hall would have space for eight badminton courts compared to five in the current centre and there will also be a 120-station gym with 15 spinning bikes, a crèche, gymnastics centre, three-rink indoor bowls, dedicated martial arts dojo, quiet studio, sauna and a café.

The leisure centre will be part-funded with a contribution of £8 million from the city council.

A council spokeswoman said: “Finer details on the plans would be released over coming months.

“Public consultation will take place as part of the planning process, covering aspects such as size and appearance.”

A spokeswoman for the winning partners said: "

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson and the Starr Trust said: "We are delighted to have been selected by Brighton and Hove City Council as the successful bidder to deliver the King Alfred Development in Hove.

"We look forward to working closely with the council and the local community to bring our proposals to life.

"This is a very exciting development, which will offer the local community a brand new leisure centre alongside much needed new apartments.”