COUNCIL bosses have confirmed the sale of the former Stourport Sports Centre this morning - for half a million pounds.

Wyre Forest District confirmed that the former leisure centre and its associated car parks have been sold to Riverside Caravan Park (Stourport) Limited for £500,000.

A spokesman for the district council said the council was required to obtain the best value for the sale of any assets in this instance the receipt was £500,000 - the highest bid submitted through a competitive process carried out this summer. 

The spokesman added that the site has been sold unconditionally although there is a clause preventing any use of the former sports centre building for leisure uses open to the public that would compete with the new Wyre Forest Leisure Centre. 

The company is associated with Mr and Mrs Loveridge - the owners of the holiday homes site nearby at Redstone Caravan Park, as well as the Riverside Caravan Park, in Bewdley.

It is understood that the new owners are looking to extend their current holiday homes offer, but exact details of what they propose to do with the new site are not yet known. 

However, any new development requiring planning permission will be handled through a planning application made to the district council for formal consideration including all the usual public consultation. 

Councillor Ian Hardiman, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: "The council began marketing the sports centre site earlier this year whilst it was still operational.

"Although it has taken us a little longer than anticipated, I am pleased that we can now confirm the sale to local business owners and that’s got to be good for the town.

"We wish Riverside Caravan Park (Stourport) Limited every success with its plans to bring a new use to the site that will continue to support the town’s local economy.”