The King Alfred Leisure Centre looks set for demolition to build hundreds of new homes, the council has revealed.

The ageing facility, which dates back to the 1930s, has fallen into disrepair over many years, with extensive weathering due to its seafront location.

The centre’s swimming pool was also forced to close earlier this year due to a failure of the heating system after water ingress.

In a drop-in consultation on plans for a replacement leisure centre, the council said the risk of the King Alfred’s permanent closure is becoming “increasingly likely with the age and condition of the building”.

Some of the facilities proposed for the new modern and sustainable leisure centre include an eight-lane 25-metre competition swimming pool, an eight-court sports hall and “some element of leisure water”.

Get more stories delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter

While plans are at an early stage to replace the King Alfred, the council has revealed that the site will “very likely” be demolished regardless of where the new facility will be built.

According to the council’s development plans, at least 400 apartments will be constructed on the site of the leisure centre.

However, the demolition of the current King Alfred will not take place until plans for the leisure centre’s replacement are confirmed.

A council spokesman said: “A refurbishment of the existing King Alfred building is not considered possible due to the age and condition of the building, and the fact that it cannot meet the requirements of a modern leisure centre.

“Our City Plan Part One does envisage that a minimum of 400 units will go on the King Alfred site. The assumption has always been that these will help to fund the leisure centre, wherever in the west of the city it is located.

“It is very likely that the existing centre will need to be demolished as part of this process.

“However, the demolition of the existing leisure centre will not take place until there is certainty on the delivery of its replacement.”

Construction work on the new leisure centre is not expected to begin before late next year or early 2025.