PLANS to build a private health and fitness club complete with lido as part of New Brighton’s regeneration have been scrapped – to make way for a children’s play area.

Neptune Developments have confirmed that the original idea to create a new health club and outdoor swimming pool, will not come to fruition.

Instead in its place will be a large-scale children’s soft play area, while the proposed lido will be a splash pool for youngsters.

Neptune has also agreed with investors GloPlay that the pool area will be adapted to become an ice rink during the winter months.

The changes to the seaside resort’s Marine Point are a result of a "community calls" for such a facility, according to Neptune.

And New Brighton councillor Sue Taylor said the alterations will help to create a family environment and bring tourists to the area.

Councillor Taylor said: “Neptune have had considerable difficulty in getting an organisation to take over and operate the health and fitness facility and ‘plan B’ was always to have a top-notch children’s soft play area, probably one of the best in the country.

“Around £1.3m will be invested and I think it will go a long way to encourage families to come to New Brighton.

"There are talks of using the lido area as an ice rink during the Winter and although I don’t know the full details of this, I think it would be an excellent boost for the resort during the colder months.

“We have got plenty of health clubs in Wirral, both council-run and private, but that industry is struggling during the economic climate as people are likely to get rid of their gym membership first when cutting back.

“Overall, I welcome these new plans and believe New Brighton will benefit greatly.”

The scheme will feature a 12,000 sq ft play centre on the ground floor, and party rooms, education and fitness zones and a ceramic café on the first floor.

A play frame split over five levels will form the centrepiece of the facility and it will have a capacity of 347 children.

Rob Mason, Neptune's development director, said: “What we found when talking to local people was that there was a real demand for a facility such as this where children can play in safety and enjoy activity all year round.

“This will be a modern centre, with a family-friendly appeal combining indoor play with an outdoor splash park that can be adapted as an ice rink for winter use.”

A report regarding Neptune’s new plans is expected to go before Wirral Council cabinet next month.